The ATP Tour has said they regret sharing a video on their social media platform that has caused offence to the LGBT community.
Over the weekend the governing body of men’s tennis was criticised after a video was uploaded from Tiktok. Titled ‘what type of tennis player are you?’ the clip shows somebody acting out various stances on a court. One of which was labelled as ‘the sissy.’ A term that is used to describe somebody as cowardly or effeminate and is also used as a gay slur. The timing of the incident occurred right before Pride month which takes place throughout June.
“We would like to apologise for an ill-judged retweet over the weekend, which contained offensive language to the LGBTQ+ community and was subsequently deleted. Such language has no place in today’s society or the inclusive environment that we strive for in our sport.” A statement reads.
The apology has been hailed by sports journalist Nick McCarvel, who has been a driving force behind various LGBT tennis initiatives in recent years. At the 2019 US Open he hosted the ‘Love All: An Open Conversation’ as part of the tournament’s first ever Open Pride. The panel included tennis legend Billie Jean King and current player Alison Van Uytvanck.
“Thank you for acknowledging this mis-judgment,” McCarvel wrote on Twitter. “Only through education and open dialogue can we all learn to be more inclusive/open.’
“Let’s start Pride Month off on the right foot: By seeing our mis-steps of the past and knowing we have a long path to travel still.”
Sports Media LGBT has urged the ATP to get involved in the Pride celebrations following their statement. The organisation is a network group and consultancy that advocates for inclusion in the sports media industry, and across sport in general. It was founded by Sky Sports journalist Jon Holmes.
“Thank you for the apology folks,” they said in reply to the ATP. “Be great to showcase the #LGBTennis initiatives and recent Glam Slam tournament on the socials for #PrideMonth in June.”
At present there are no openly gay players on the men’s tour and there has only been a selected few in the past. Former top 100 player Brian Vahaly came out after retiring from the sport at the age of 29. Others include Francisco Rodriguez, who reached a ranking high of 373rd, in 2008. Although like Vahaly Rodriguez came out after retiring. Meanwhile 1920s tennis superstar Bill Tilden was also gay, but never publicly declared it due to the perception and legal restrictions of homosexuality during that time.
