The 2025 French Open, taking place in Paris beginning May 25, showcases LGBTQ+ representation in tennis, significantly contributed to by women's players. Trailblazers like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova have set a precedent, while the men's ATP tour continues to struggle with visibility. João Lucas Reis da Silva made headlines in December 2024 as the first active male player to come out. He follows in the footsteps of Brian Vahaly, who faced hostility during his career, and Daria Kasatkina, a top WTA player who publicly came out in 2022 and later switched her national representation to Australia.
"I heard homophobic comments all the time in the locker room - to my face, behind my back. That was just a part of the culture" - Brian Vahaly
"For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it" - Daria Kasatkina
Collection
[
|
...
]