sport
Swiss Tennis Player Brunold Publicly Comes Out as Gay, Joining Growing Number of Athletes
Winterthur, Switzerland – Professional tennis player Samuel Brunold has become only the second active male tennis player to publicly come out as gay, sharing his story in a personal statement released this week. The 20-something Swiss athlete, currently ranked No. 6 in Switzerland, hopes his openness will contribute to greater acceptance and visibility within the sport and beyond.
BrunoldS proclamation arrives amid a slow but growing trend of athletes across various disciplines choosing to live openly, challenging long-held stigmas within traditionally conservative sporting cultures. While progress has been made, LGBTQ+ representation remains limited in professional athletics, and coming out can carry significant personal and professional risks. Brunold’s decision to share his truth could pave the way for others and foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ athletes.
The right-handed player, recognizable by his signature white headband and curly blonde hair, acknowledged the complexities of navigating life as a gay man, stating, “I believe that in an ideal world, we wouldn’t even need to ‘come out’ at all.” He explained his motivation for speaking out was both personal and a desire to spark broader conversation.
“I’m sharing this with you to take a step for myself,but also because I think it’s not talked about enough in sports,” Brunold wrote. He further elaborated on the emotional toll of concealing his identity, describing the “fear of not being accepted, the pressure to stay quiet, the feeling of being different.”
Despite these challenges, Brunold expressed a sense of pride and self-acceptance. “But I’ve grown,” he added, ”And I’m proud of who I am today.”
Brunold joins Brazilian player João Lucas Reis da Silva, who came out as gay in 2023, as the only two openly gay active professional men’s tennis players. He currently holds a 3-1 record on clay.
