Ashley Harkleroad surprised everyone over the weekend with the news she'll be featured nude in the August issue of Playboy. We're amazed she's the first tennis player ever to pose for the magazine and we're equally impressed Hefner even knew who she was seeing how she's ranked only 61st in the world.

The good news is that Harkleroad definitely will not be the last.

We know you'd like to see Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova and K-Swiss's new model Alona Bondarenko, but what about some other relatively obscure tennis hotties.

After some diligent research, I've narrowed the list to this five:

Sania Mirza (India)

At 21, this Muslim beauty has caused quite a stir in her country for her choice of attire on and off the court. You can only imagine the controversy that would arise without wearing any clothing whatsoever. We certainly wouldn't mind.



Anastasia Myskina (Russia)

I'm not sure whether to thank Russia more for their cultivation of vodka or its abundance of tennis babes. Myskini, 26, was once ranked 2nd in the world in 2004. She's currently on break from the tour to give birth to her first child but we assume she'll return to form, one that more than deserves to grace Hef's pages.


 

Tatiana Golovin (France)

If you've followed this blog very long you've heard of Tatiana several times. Her red knickers were the highlight of last summer's Wimbledon. It's also probably a stretch to use the word 'obscure' in any sentence with her as she's already graced the cover of France's FHM. Regardless, we'd place strong odds on Golovin being the next to follow Ashley Harkleroad.



Maria Kirilenko (Russia)

Yep, Russia again. God bless them. Just 21 and quickly climbing the tour rankings we wouldn't be surprised to see Maria take on a Kournikova-like following. Frankly, I find her hotter anyway.



Bethanie Mattek

Clearly, she wouldn't mind the extra attention and honestly I'm stunned she hasn't worked her way into a nude magazine shoot previously. Mattek caused a stir at last summer's US Open with these two bizarre clothing decisions. She's not exactly my type, more of A-Rod's style, but we'd gladly take ourselves away from all those great articles for a look.



Any other you'd care to add?