The Sexiest Pictures of Athletes Posing with Sports Equipment

We often watch beautiful athletes grace their playing fields with a sense of confidence and an aggressive repertoire of abilities, only to then bare almost everything for eager fans during a wide array of provocative photo shoots.

But rarely do we see the two fields merge. Rarely do we get the pleasure of witnessing sexy and sporty together, a collision of enjoyable parts, if you will.

Times, however, they are a-changin', and it seems like these same athletes are suddenly determined to bring both worlds together—just grab their equipment and make history.

Now we can finally take a look at the sexiest pictures of athletes posing with their instruments.

Meaningful props, to say the least.

25. Anastasia Luppova

She's known as 2009 Miss Billiards to some, that beautiful Russian cue sports star whose name we can't remember to others.

But to most, Anastasia Luppova is a spark plug on the table, a legend in the pool business.

Just a quiet stare and stellar posture are leading her to the top of the food chain.

24. Biba Golic

While she's clearly labeled a table tennis phenom in her native Serbia, it's Biba Golic's confidence on camera that truly has the world taking note.

Paddle stored in rear, stare perfected, hair blowing in the soft breeze—just another carefree day in the life of a beautiful athlete.

23. Erin Phillips

Seemingly countering the stereotypes of a typical WNBA player, Indiana Fever's Erin Phillips has found the path to stardom.

Off the court, that is.

22. Roberta Mancino

For those unfamiliar with the sexy Roberta Mancino, she is among the most fearless athletes in the world and among the most creative models ever to approach the surface of the Earth.

Amid her 7,000-plus skydives are four memorable nude jumps (free falls indeed) that gave the sports world plenty to write about. 

We're still stumbling for the right words.

21. Gretchen Bleiler

Few athletes look as thrilled to be on camera as Gretchen Bleiler always does, and for that we are very appreciative.

We can't help but smile at the snowboarder's passion, glamorous smile and bro-like nature.

She makes any frigid slope just a bit warmer.

20. Logan Tom

Since making her Olympic debut in 2000 (Sydney Games) at the ripe age of 19, volleyball star Logan Tom has thrust her sexy nature at eager fans who are always yearning for that next memorable shot. 

And we have yet to be disappointed in her abstract, yet stunning approach.

19. Danielle Montgomery

Considering this English golfer posed nude for the 2009 Australian Ladies Golf Calendar, this presentation is just a calm walk in the park for Danielle Montgomery.

And let's not forget to thank the lone ball for making this inclusion possible.

18. Ashley Harkleroad

With a career-high ranking of No. 39, it's curious as to how Ashley Harkleroad continues to receive such significant attention from eager paparazzi.

Oh yeah, maybe it's because she was the first female tennis player to pose for Playboy.

Just a thought.

17. Blair O'Neal

Unlike most of her peers, golfer Blair O'Neal has a swagger about her that can't be pinpointed.

She seems more inclined to physically destroy opponents than beat them on the back nine.

But not without her argyle sweater and patterned hat intact, classy as always.

16. Dallas Friday

Sure she's got an ESPY Award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete and four X Games gold medals under her two-piece bathing suit, but it's Dallas Friday's seemingly calm approach that has us yearning for more.

With a calm lake behind her, a loyal board in front and a plethora of eager cameras always by her side, this sexy wakeboarder remains the best in the business.

15. Hannah Teter

A Sports Illustrated appearance, an Olympic gold medal and a wide array of sexy action shots that detail her chilly, yet chill lifestyle—yeah, snowboarder Hannah Teter has just about filled every crevice of sports prosperity.

But we've yet to have enough.

14. Anna Rawson

This crafty smile can only mean one thing—sexy golfer Anna Rawson has indeed used her slight golfing prowess to open up plenty of modeling doors.

Quite impressive.

13. Gina Carano

Amid joining the film world, MMA extraordinaire Gina Carano left a nice collection of sexy, yet brutal photos for fans to drool over.

None better than those included in her memorable GQ shoot, featuring this jaw-dropping masterpiece.

The rusted punching bag and fearless stare leads us to believe this is quite perfect and realistic.

12. Lacy Schnoor

While she's yet to statistically accomplish much on the shivery slopes, freestyle skier Lacy Schnoor has done plenty of side work to keep fans fully engaged.

With a brilliant smile and questionable wardrobe, Schnoor makes any chairlift ride a bit steamier.

11. Alona Bondarenko

Considering her career highlight was defeating former World No. 1 Jelena Janković in the third round of the 2010 Australian Open, it's safe to say Ukrainian sensation Alona Bondarenko needed pictorials like this to help propel her to the top.

Such a relaxing nature can't be ignored.

10. Kristi Leskinen

We doubt Kristi Leskinen needs a ski pole, or rather a stock for those familiar with the slope lingo, but we're pretty sure she looks amazing alongside one.

Her mysterious stare gives us a reason to keep watching.

9. Mia St. John

While former WIBA and WIBF Lightweight Champion Mia St. John clearly knows how to dominate her field of play, it's her business savvy that has us tossing all props her way.

With a delicate smile and perfectly placed boxing glove, St. John continues to bring in new, salivating fans.

8. Kyra Gracie

There's something sexy about a beautiful fighter waiting for her chance to put her doubters to sleep with a sense of physical domination.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner and grappling world champion Kyra Gracie never hesitates to shock the crowd with a tightly-gripped rope.

7. Ana Ivanovic

We understand that Ana Ivanovic looks drop-dead stunning in any environment, with any such backdrop, but this is just madness.

Something about her being surrounding by an endless collection of the balls she so eloquently smashes on a daily basis keeps us curiously intrigued.

The woman, the legend.

6. Allison Stokke

The sports world has yet to let go of this pole vaulter's sexy, yet accidental array of action shots.

The former Cal star never even saw such chaos approaching, and neither did we.

5. Sophie Horn

Just in case anyone doubted Sophie Horn's ability to properly grip a club, she's here to set the record straight.

Model first, golfer last—Horn is ready to use all her talents to climb to the top.

4. Anna Kournikova

Seeing tennis beauties surround themselves with the rubber balls that they build their careers on hitting never really gets old.

But black and white is an interesting twist to Ana Ivanovic's previous masterpiece.

Her fellow Anna always knows how to spice up a great presentation.

3. Leryn Franco

She's been dominating the athletic scene for awhile (albeit away from the playing field) and doesn't seem ready to hand over the reigns just yet. 

We're not ready, either—keep 'em coming, girl.

2. Malia Jones

With an exotic flair for the dramatic, surfer Malia Jones continues to shine on camera and astound us with her dripping production.

We'd even go as far as to say she's the second coming, surrounded by a natural ray of light, chirping doves and humming angels.

OK, so perhaps the last two are assumed.

1. Alana Blanchard

The life of a professional surfer is perhaps the most dreamed-about world in all of sports—for us at least.

Alana Blanchard has helped build quite the reputation for the bevy of wave masters gracing beaches around the world.

We can't help but dream of joining them.