Women’s tennis has always traded on its glamorous image, but world No 61 Ashley Harkleroad is taking the concept to new heights by posing naked for Playboy magazine.

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The 23-year-old American blonde will appear nude in the August issue after being photographed earlier this year while recovering from an operation.

Striking a pose: Ashley Harkleroad may have lost on Monday but she's hoping to be a smash hit in Playboy

She is believed to be getting £50,000 for the session, a sum that will lessen the disappointment of being knocked out of the French Open first round in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat by Serena Williams.

Bum deal: US tennis star Ashley Harkleroad has accepted the Playboy dollar

Of her appearance in the magazine, she said: "I was just laying there for three weeks and an offer came. I thought, well, I’m not really doing anything so I did it.

"I’m proud of my body. I was representing a female athlete’s body.

40, love: Harkleroad returns a shot during the 2003 US Open

Ace: Ashley Harkleroad serves at Wimbledon in 2004

"It was hard work, but it was just a completely different experience. It was fun, you’ll see for yourself.’

Venus Williams cast doubt on her ability to win a first French Open title on Monday when she laboured through to the second round, beating Israeli Tzipora Obziler 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Thigh high: Ashley Harkleroad returns a shot to Iva Majoli of Croatia during the 2002 US Open

Roger Federer was given few problems by American Sam Querry in his 6-4, 6-4,
6-3 win but hopes of home-grown success, reduced by the withdrawal of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, sunk further when French No 1 Richard Gasquet withdrew with a knee injury.