The funny thing about this is that if you were the 20th best soccer player on the globe or the 20th best NFL player, a lot of people would know who you are. But in regards to tennis, almost no one knows who you are.
So obviously some people are trying hard to change that. Take 23-year-old Ashley Harkleroad. She's an American ranked 61st on the women's tour and lost to Serena today at the French Open. Being the 61st best women's tennis player on the globe is pretty good, but I'd never heard of her before today and I'd probably never have given her a second thought until this tidbit of info popped up: She's going to appear in Playboy.
OK then. So what's Harkleroad look like? Here you go.
And just for good measure, here's a video for you.
Sort of a poor man's Kournikova. Also, just so you know, she apparently dated Andy Roddick for two years before Roddick went on his Mandy Moore, Brooklyn Decker run. So at least we know Roddick approves.
Now, some people may not exactly think this is a great idea. In fact, I know some people already think this is a bad idea. But let's be realistic here. You'd never heard of Harkleroad before today, and you never would have heard about her unless she decided to pose for Playboy.
I'm not saying that a top-ranked - but totally obscure - woman athlete posing for Playboy is the only way for her to get noticed, but it's certainly one way.
Besides, posing for Playboy is a lot better way to become known to the general public than shooting up strip clubs (Pacman Jones), beating up teenagers (Chris Henry), or being involved with dogfighting (Michael Vick). Well, admittedly most people knew Vick before the dogfighting, but hey, I think you'd rather be known for Playboy than dogfighting in the long run.
As for me, I'm not going to buy the Playboy issue. Not because I have any problem with Harkleroad appearing in it, but because I have this little invention called the Internet. I'm not sure if Playboy knows this, but it allows to look at naked women for free. Go technology.
Now, some people may not exactly think this is a great idea. In fact, I know some people already think this is a bad idea. But let's be realistic here. You'd never heard of Harkleroad before today, and you never would have heard about her unless she decided to pose for Playboy.
I'm not saying that a top-ranked - but totally obscure - woman athlete posing for Playboy is the only way for her to get noticed, but it's certainly one way.
Besides, posing for Playboy is a lot better way to become known to the general public than shooting up strip clubs (Pacman Jones), beating up teenagers (Chris Henry), or being involved with dogfighting (Michael Vick). Well, admittedly most people knew Vick before the dogfighting, but hey, I think you'd rather be known for Playboy than dogfighting in the long run.
As for me, I'm not going to buy the Playboy issue. Not because I have any problem with Harkleroad appearing in it, but because I have this little invention called the Internet. I'm not sure if Playboy knows this, but it allows to look at naked women for free. Go technology.
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