Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Amelie Mauresmo are just some of the LGBT tennis players who have managed to shine in the world of tennis. Meanwhile, on the ATP Tour it is a very different story.
As it currently stands there are no publicly out gay players in men’s tennis. Something that hasn’t changed despite the development in gay rights over the past 40 years. One of the rare players to speak out about their sexuality is Brian Vahaly. A former world No.64, who won five titles on the Challenger circuit. Vahaly didn’t open up about his personal life until the age of 29 after he retired from the sport.
“The concern back then was about the implications of sponsorships, friendships and more specifically, your experience inside the locker room. You spend a lot of time with other players, and there was a real concern that you would be ostracized for being gay. In the late ‘90s, early 2000s, the vast majority around the world was not in support of LGBTQ acceptance.” Vahaly told Jonathan Scott during an interview for tennis.com.
“I started training at 3 years old to become a professional tennis player, and already felt so much pressure playing at Wimbledon, the US Open, playing against Andre Agassi or another Top 10 player, that it felt like a distraction that I was not ready for at that time.”
Historically, there has been other gay tennis players, but nothing on the same level as their female counterparts. Francisco Rodriguez, who reached a ranking high of 373rd, came out in 2008 after retiring from the tour. Meanwhile 1920s tennis superstar Bill Tilden was also gay, but never publicly declared it due to the perception of homosexuality during that time.
“Tennis is a very individual sport, and you’re isolated for two to three hours at a time. Controlling your emotions is something you’re trained to do, learning how to put your emotions in a box.” Vahaly explained.
“I’m not saying that was healthy, or that there weren’t repercussions to that. It was my reaction at that time. If a player is out there and wants to come out, they may feel isolated or alone.”
The views of other players
Whilst there is yet to be an openly gay male player on the tour, many will not have a problem with it. Earlier this month, 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer told tennis podcast The Body Serve that he thinks an openly gay athlete ‘would be accepted’ on the tour. An opinion he has also stated on previous occasions.
“Yeah, I think no problem at all,” Federer told The Body Serve. “Yeah, it is true we have not had it. Don’t know why, you know? Have we not had any, or some players have just chosen to not do it? I think it would be totally accepted, no problem.
“I’m all for it, it’s a good thing. It doesn’t matter where you came from, who you are, I’m all for it that you’re open about it. I think you’ll feel better in the process, to be honest, and everybody should support one another on this planet.”
Another to express their support is world No.5 Kevin Anderson. In a Tweet on August 6th, he wrote ‘Words that come to mind when I think about people who are Out: courageous, strong, progressive, fearless and leaders.‘
“Knowing how the top players have their words dissected across the world, and yet they’re still willing to take a stand, is quite powerful.” Vahaly said.
“I played doubles with Anderson when he was just coming on tour. To see him be so accepting of this event while broadcasting his support to his friends, family and fans is very encouraging.” He added.
Open Playbook: Being Queer and Out in Pro Tennis
On Thursday a special event will be held in New York to focus on LGBT athletes in tennis. The brainchild behind the initiative is journalist and TV presenter Nick McCarvel, who will host the event at Housing Works Bookstore in New York’s SoHo area. It will mark the 50th anniversary of the US Open by ‘celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in pro tennis.’ Vahaly will be a member of the panel at the event.
“Brian and I agree on this: Thursday isn’t about asking pro gay players – because we know that they’re out there – to come out. It’s about furthering this discussion. Furthering the chance to talk about gays in sports – queers in sports.” McCarvel wrote in a special editorial for outsports.com.
Those unable to attend will be able to watch it live online. It will be broadcast on the Facebook page of the No Challenges Remaining Tennis Podcast. A podcast run by New York Times Journalist Ben Rothenberg and Courtney Nguyen from the WTA.
The event will get underway at 19:30 (New York time).
Vahaly’s advice to closeted players
“It’s going to be okay. It doesn’t mean there won’t be some friendships that change, and that life won’t look a bit different, but there’s nothing better than being true to who you are. You sort of want to give your old self a bear hug and say it’s going to be okay, and that you’ll have more support than you think. And nobody cares as much as you think they do.”
