An interview with Ashley Harkleroad - Un’intervista con Ashley Harkleroad
Ted Bauer,Espn

Ashley Harkleroad is currently ranked 65th in the world, although she has been as high as No. 39 in June 2003. Considering she's 23 and pushed Maria Sharapova in a tough match at the 2006 Australian Open, her best days could still be ahead of her (currently, she hasn't advanced past the third round of a major). While her career winnings to date total nearly a million dollars, there's one thing every tennis fan (and non-fan) wants to discuss: she's the August 2008 cover girl for Playboy (on newsstands Friday). We caught up with Harkleroad via phone to talk career, posing nude, the reaction and to settle this Federer vs. Nadal thing once and for all. Bonus: for a look at the cover of the August 2008 issue, go right here. The Mag: We'll get to Playboy in a second. What's the toughest match you've ever been in? Harkleroad: Probably against Dinara Safina a few months ago. Overall, who's the toughest opponent and why? Either of the Williams sisters at this point. They're like 6-3, 170. I'm out there like 5-6, 130. It's pretty tough. What do you love about tennis; what keeps you going during the weekly grind? That's a good question, since I lost last night. So right now? Not a whole lot. (laughs) I enjoy competing, but I like to win; there's no better feeling than winning. Also, I have to think it's better than having a "real job." We'll turn to Playboy now. What happened with the offer? How did you decide to pose? My boyfriend and my agents negotiated the deal for me. It's something entirely different than playing tennis, and I enjoy being in front of a camera. It's just a different avenue and I wanted to see where it could take me, so I accepted it. You're from Georgia. What are people back there saying about this? You know the South—it's the Bible Belt. People were definitely a little shocked, but the reaction has been positive overall. That's good for me, because I didn't want to deal with disappointing anyone (laughs). What about the girls on the tour? I think they understand what I was doing; I haven't heard any negative feedback from them. You've talked about enjoying being in front of the camera. How was the shoot itself? I'm not a very modest person, so I was really feeling it. I was having a good time and trying to feel sexy in my own body; I think it worked. The pictures and the layout came out very classy. Playboy is a very classy operation all around. It was important to me, because I'm representing an athlete and her body, so I wanted it to come out showcasing that. Gotta ask: if you saw your boyfriend with a Playboy, would that annoy you? They have tremendous articles, you know. He doesn't read it. If he did, though, I wouldn't be bothered by it. I don't tend to get jealous in that way. If you need to have fun, go have fun, you know? (laughs) Quick hitters now. Who's the most attractive girl in WTA? Me. Serious? (laughs) No, no. It's a tough question. I'd have to say Ana Ivanovic, though. Who's the best female tennis player ever? Right now, I'd have to say Serena if I was picking one. You go back 10-15 years, you'd probably say Steffi Graf. It's hard to say all-time because it depends on the era you're discussing; the game changes a lot. And finally, who's hotter: Federer or Nadal? That's another tough one. I've never been a huge fan of Nadal looks-wise; I'd probably go with Federer. The other thing with Federer is, he's so nice. He always—OK, maybe not always—talks to me when we're at an event. Last spring I had ovarian cyst surgery, and he was so sweet to me when he saw me, asking me how everything was. He's a great guy and yea, a little better looking than Nadal.

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Un’intervista con Ashley Harkleroad

Ashley Harkleroad e’ attualmente numero 65 delle classifiche mondiali, anche se e’ stata anche al numero 39nel 2003. Tenendo conto che ha solo 23 anni, e’ lecito ritenere che gli anni migliori per lei debbano ancora giungere . I suoi guadagni sino ad oggi raggiunti ammontano quasi a un milione di dollari, ma c’e’ una cosa di cui molti tifosi di tennis vogliono discutere: la sua copertina sul numero di Playboy di Agosto. Qui, risponde alla spicciolata ad alcuni quesiti.
Il match piu’ difficile che hai giocato ? “Contro Dinara Safina, pochi mesi fa”
L’avversaria piu’ forte? “Una delle due sorelle Williams”
Cosa ti piace del tennis? Dove trovi le motivazioni per continuare?”La competizione. Mi piace vincere, nessuna sensazione e’ migliore della vittoria. E comunque, giocare a tennis e’ sempre meglio di dover fare un altro lavoro”
Raccontaci di Playboy. Perche’ hai accettato di posare? “Hanno discusso tutto il mio ragazzo e i miei agenti. E’ una cosa molto diversa dal tennis, ma mi trovo a mio agio di fronte all’obiettivo. E’ stata una bella sfida”.
Sei della Georgia. Cosa ne pensano li’ della tua scelta? “Nel Sud sono molto religiosi, per molti di loro e’ stato uno shock, ma in generale l’hanno presa bene”
Le tue colleghe sul circuito invece? “Penso che abbiano compreso la mia scelta. Non ho ricevuto nessuna aspra critica da parte loro”
Com’e’ andato il servizio fotografico?” Ho cercato di essere il piu’ sensuale possibile e di sentirmi a mio agio col mio fisico, credo di esserci riuscita. Playboy e’ una rivista molto importante, in quel momento rappresentavo un’atleta e una tennista, ci tenevo fosse fatto bene”
Se vedessi le foto del tuo ragazzo pubblicate su Playboy ? “Non sono gelosa, mi farei una grassa risata”
Chi e’ la tennista piu’ attraente? “Io… No, a parte gli scherzi, devo dire Ana Ivanovic”
La migliore tennista di sempre ? “Al momento , direi Serena, ma magari 10 anni fa avrei risposto Steffi Graf. Difficile dare una risposta, sono ere diverse”
E’ piu’ attraente Nadal o Federer?”Mhh… difficile. Da un punto di vista estetico Rafa non mi fa impazzire. Preferisco Roger, che oltre che di bell’aspetto e’ anche molto dolce. L’anno scorso quando mi sono infortunata e’ venuto a chiedermi come stavo”