Marta Domachowska poses for Polish Playboy

Polish tennis player Marta Domachowska is the latest tennis player who will appear on the cover of the Playboy magazine.

Back in 2008, Ashley Harkleroad created a huge sensation when her Playboy spread was revealed.

The 27-year-old Domachowska is currently ranked no. 230 in the world but has been as high as no. 37 back in 2006.

How we wish the other Polish tennis player (who is way more successful) is the one who will be taking these shots instead.

(Images via kozaczek.pl)

Women tennis: Cashing in on sex appeal

Gone are the years where androgynous-looking tennis players like Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graff and Billie Jean King shouted the word feminism.

World no. 1 Ana Ivanovic is FHM magazine's no. 1 too.

Today, the WTA players ooze sex appeal rather than sexism. We have more 'Anna Kournikova' now than yesteryears, which I believe is a good thing. I mean that's the BEST THING that ever happen in women tennis.

However, unlike Anna Kournikova, many top women players today are able to sell more than just sex appeal. They dominate on court and the WTA rankings. They win trophies and the Grand Slams too.

We love the whole package: talents and good looks. Fans and the media love to see these players on court as much as to see them off court.

There’s Ana Ivanovic in Dolce and Gabana being escorted to a swanky party by Sir Richard Branson. Or glam shots of Daniela Hantuchova in an airline magazine; Venus Williams signing copies of a book of glamorous shots of her at Ralph Lauren’s London store and so on and so on until you get to Ashley Harkleroad on the cover of the new issue of Playboy ~ excerpt from Tennis Week.

Ashley Harkleroad and her strategically placed towel.

According to Larry Scott, the chief executive of WTA tour, in the London's Financial Times newspaper,

"All sports are trying to distinguish themselves through their athletes and the glamorous nature of what they do. That’s what sponsors are after."

Personally I'm embracing the development in the women tennis world these days. At least I have more off court highlights to blog about. And I admit that recently I do spend more time watching women players on TV too. This article in Tennis Week is right: more glamour equals bigger ratings.

(Images via FHM and Playboy)

Ashley Harkleroad's Playboy spread revealed

A couple of months ago, Ashley Harkleroad created a huge sensation in the tennis world not because of her accomplishment on the tennis court, but because of her announcement to be the latest athlete to pose for Playboy.

So there you go a sneak peek at Ashley Harkleroad's much-talked about August Playboy spread.

I haven't got much information about the article nor have the time to surf for it but here's what Downthelinetennis says:

The mag gets down to the nitty-gritty with the 23-year old baller discussing sex, locker room looks and Anna Kournikova. Some choice quotes:

“I do think athletes have better sex,” she asserts with a bashful giggle. “Who wants a waify girl with no definition to her body? I like that I have some power and that everything’s tight.”

“Tennis players don’t mind showing off their bodies,” she said. “Often in the locker room I feel other girls’ eyes on me.”

“Anna [Kournikova] is stunning to look at, but she’s probably a bit damaged from what she’s been through. That’s how she acts — a bit damaged.”

(Image via orlandosentinel.com)