Tennis cutie pie, Ashley Harkleroad, celebrated her 24th birthday on May 2, 2009. She was born May 2, 1985 in Rossville, GA, USA and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, USA. So what has Ashley been up to since her last birthday?
Well, on March 25, 2009 she had her first child, a boy named Charles Hooper Adams the 4th. That took her out of tennis for a while, but according to Ashley Harkleroad’s website, she is now getting ready for her comeback and the US Open by the end of August. Harkleroad’s fitness trainer says Ashley will follow a strict workout program that will take her “from having a baby to serving aces in 91 days.” Part of this plan includes lots of vegetables and fruits, workouts with weights that target biceps and triceps, cardio, core exercises, and getting on the court at least five times a week for 1 1/2 hours a day.
During the past year, she also caused a little stir as a Playboy cover girl, becoming the first professional tennis player to grace the pages of Playboy. Sometimes “firsts” are good, sometimes they are really good!
Last year she also showed herself to be a reliable tennis player, winning two singles matches to lead the American team to a first-round victory over Germany in the Federation Cup.
Earlier in her career, Harkleroad made a splash at the age of 16 when she appeared at the 2001 US Open in extra-tight shorts and a midriff-baring top. She lost in the first round, but the outfit and her long blond ponytail earned her comparisons to another tennis heartthrob, Anna Kournikova.
We wish Ashley a happy birthday, and look forward to her return to the tennis court.
