PARIS, May 26 (tPC) - Ashley Harkleroad may have been defeated by Serena Williams at the French Open yesterday,

Update: Ashley Harkleroad Nude Playboy Photos Now Online

Harkleroad, 23, the 61st-ranked American who lost to Serena Williams 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday in the first round of the French Open, said she had surgery earlier this year to remove a cyst from her ovaries - and by the way, posed for the August edition of Playboy magazine.

And while others would choose to take it easy on a relaxing vacation or just laying around in front of the TV, Harkleroad instead accepted Hugh Hefner's offer to pose nude for the world's most famous glamour magazine.

"I was just laying there for three weeks, and, you know, an offer came to me," Harkleroad told reporters.

"I thought, well, I'm not really doing anything right now so I thought about it and it was something that I did. I'm proud of my body. I was representing a female athlete's body."

Harkleroad will be the first tennis player to grace the pages of the magazine. She will appear in the August edition.

"It was hard work, but, you know, it was just a completely different experience. It was fun. I think it comes out July 13th. It's the August edition. So you'll see for yourself.

"I stay in shape and try to stay fit, so like I said, I'm just trying to represent a female athlete and her body. That can be sexy too, you know."

Harkleroad follows U.S. swimmer Amanda Beard and volleyball player Gabrielle Reece who have bared it all for Playboy. (Links not safe for employment after first jump)

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