Swiss tennis talent Mika Brunold has come out as gay, sharing his truth in a heartfelt message to fans and the wider sporting community. The 21-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday, 30 November, to reflect on his personal growth and journey both on and off the court.
In the post, Brunold said that his experience as a professional athlete had taught him that success goes beyond physical performance — it’s also about embracing your identity and staying authentic.
“Through all of this, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that success on the court isn’t just about physical skill – it’s about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself,” he wrote.
“I’m proud of who I am today”
Brunold admitted he had long thought about how best to open up about his identity, explaining that living a lie was never something he could accept.
“While it hasn’t always been easy, hiding it and pretending to be someone I’m not was never an option. That’s why I feel it’s time for me to open up and share with you that I’m gay.”
The young Swiss athlete highlighted that being gay isn’t only about who you love, but also about the challenges that come with being different in a heteronormative world.
“The fear of not being accepted, the pressure to stay quiet, the feeling of being different. But I’ve grown. And I’m proud of who I am today.”
His decision to come out publicly was also driven by a desire to spark more discussion in the world of professional sports — a space where LGBTQ+ representation, particularly among men, remains limited.
“In an ideal world, no one would have to come out at all,” he added.
Community Rallies Behind Him
Brunold’s announcement was met with an outpouring of love and support. Fellow tennis player David Chen commented on the post, saying it takes “immense self-love, and undeniable bravery to come out in the middle of a tennis career.”
Others thanked him for his honesty, sharing their admiration and pledging their support as he continues his journey.
Brunold primarily competes on the Challenger Tour, having reached the semi-finals at the Nottingham Challenger in January and the Royan Atlantique Open in June. He also featured at the Swiss Indoors in October, although he has yet to appear in a Grand Slam tournament.
A Slow Shift in Men’s Tennis
While players like Russia’s Daria Kasatkina have been leading the way in terms of LGBTQ+ visibility on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour, the men’s ATP tour has been significantly slower to progress. Until 2023, no openly gay male player had competed on the tour since the start of the Open Era in 1968.
That changed earlier this year when João Lucas Reis da Silva of Brazil made history by becoming the first out gay male tennis player to compete in a Grand Slam, playing at the US Open in August.
