While out females such as Martina Navratilova have long been a staple on tennis courts, most of us are hard pressed to name an openly gay male pro tennis player. However, if one decides to come out he certainly won’t meet any opposition from Roger Federer or Andy Murray.
As Outsports reports, both men revealed during the Italian Open on Sunday that no one would miss a backswing should a player decide to come out as gay.
“I don’t think it would be a problem,” Federer said. “We’re very relaxed. We don’t play a team sport and see each other all the time. We’re very open. So whatever happens, happens. I don’t know if there are any. So far from what I’ve heard, no. But that could change, possibly because of the case in the NBA.”
Murray agrees that Jason Collins‘ recent decision to come out has helped make the athletic landscape more accepting of openly LGBT athletes.
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“I think everyone has gotten better at dealing with it,” Murray said. “More and more players have come out and I think there has to be some players that are probably gay. From speaking to the other players, I don’t think anyone has any issues with it. So I hope that in tennis it’s an issue that is dealt with well when the situation arises.”
mjcc1987
I need a personal, and I mean deeply personal invitation from Rafael Nadal before I believe it. I may need to be convinced multiple times a day over a 5 year period.
Is that so wrong?
Truth Addict
Tennis fans are, as a whole, more cultured and sophisticated than your average sports fan. A gay male player wouldn’t be any problem in the tennis world.
Dakotahgeo
Geeezzzz…. common sense from the sports world… can you believe it??? This is good news! Congrats, guys!
Sweet Boy
One can only dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jdUg8-vAdeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ57yYeoLU4