Three WTA players in SI swimsuit issue

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) -Women's tennis players Daniela Hantuchova of the Czech Republic, Maria Kirilenko of Russia and Tatiana Golovin of France are featured in the swimsuit issue of American magazine Sports Illustrated.

The three players spent five days on the beaches of the Dominican Republic for their photo shoots, the WTA Tour said Tuesday on its Web site.

"Being a part of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue was a unique experience that gave me a rare and fun opportunity to let the people see me in a different light, away from the tennis court," said Hantuchova, formerly ranked No. 5 in the world.

Kirilenko said photographer Walter Iooss Jr. was the best she had ever worked with, and Golovin said it was an honor to be a part of the swimsuit issue.

"While I have done lots of photo shoots in my career, none of them can compare to the fantastic atmosphere of this shoot and the positive energy of the crew," Golovin said. "It was a fantastic experience that will stay with me for a long time."

Other women's players have previously appeared on the pages of the magazine, including Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Anna Kournikova and Steffi Graf.