Gay male tennis players
Where are the Gay Men in Tennis?
While many tour players may lend an encouraging word and the ATP has support programs, one thing neither can necessarily provide is an actively playing — or even actively on tour — mentor. As far as the records novel indicate, only two openly gay men have played at an elite level, both before World War II, according to the book, A People’s History of Tennis by reporter David Berry. The first, Gottfried (Baron) von Cramm, a German aristocrat noted for his gentlemanly manner and fair play, won the 1934 and 1936 French Open before the German government arrested him in 1938 for having a gay affair with a Jewish actor. He was jailed for six months before marrying a heiress, facing down a ban from Wimbledon after the incident, being conscripted by the German Army and unwillingly fighting in World War II.
The second, Bill Tilden, an American, won 14 Major singles titles, including 10 Grand Slams,before he was arrested in November 1946 on Sunset Boulevard by the Beverly Hills police for having sex with an underage male. Tilden was sentenced to a year in prison, served seven months and received five-year parole conditions so strict that they virtu
Why are there no established gay tennis players on the ATP? “Maybe there are, but they are afraid, this is a macho sport”.
PARIS – There is one thing that separates the WTA from the ATP, one aspect in which they are very different: on the women’s tennis tour there are players who are openly lesbian. In the men’s tennis tour, no player has come out as gay in recent years. Why?
“Because tennis is a very masculine sport, very macho,” says Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas in an interview with CLAY. “Maybe there is still a bit of worry, there is that dread . Maybe there are players who are afraid, they live repressed, and it’s terrible for a person to live like that,” added the world number 61.
Fear? Varillas’ statement brings back memories of CLAY’s interview with Taylor Fritz, in which the American addressed a topic that is virtually never talked about in men’s tennis.
“I’m not sure if there are gay tennis players in the top 100. I don’t know. Maybe people think that behind closed doors we realize. Statistically speaking, there should be. Statistically. But not that I know of. I think it’s s
Tennis star, 24, becomes the first active men's player in history to approach out as gay with social media post about his model boyfriend
Joao Lucas Reis has made history to become the first openly gay active professional male tennis player.
The planet No 401 came out publicly on social media in honour of his boyfriend Gui Sampaio Ricardo's birthday, sharing photos of the paid with a sweet message announcing their relationship status.
'Happy birthday. Delighted life,' the 24-year-old Brazilian captioned the photoset of himself and the star and model. 'I like you so much.'
Although a world away from the high profile top 100 players in the ATP rankings, Reis' post has nonetheless broken down barriers in a sport where a male player has never publicly affirmed his sexuality during his active career.
Most recently, American former world No 64 Brian Vahaly came out in 2017, 10 years after calling time on his career.
Part of his verdict to wait, he told the Telegraph in 2018, came down to perceived homophobia on the tour.
Joao Lucas Reis (left) has become the first active men's player in tennis history to publicly approach out as gay
The Brazilian player is ranked 401st in t
Britain’s Liam Broady says he understands the difficulties any player who is same-sex attracted in men’s tennis might experience but he hopes they would still be able to be their authentic selves.
At present, there are no openly homosexual players on the men’s Tour and historically there have been few in the past. Former highest 100 player Brian Vahaly came out after retiring from the sport and spoke at length about his journey with Ubitennis. 10-time Grand Slam champion Bill Tilden struggled with his sexuality during a moment when gay sex was illegal and not standard by society.
The situation is the polar opposite of the women’s Tour where the likes of Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King became some of the first athletes in the world to reach out as gay. Meanwhile, world No.8 Daria Kasatkina came out last year and is in a relationship with former figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
“A football player (Jakub Jankto) came out recently, which is good,” Broady said during an interview with Clay Magazine. “Hopefully it starts to develop fond this and more and more people feel comfortable.”
Broady played at the Australian Open earlier this year wearing rainbow laces which are based on an i
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