Is it necessary?
With the ATP, WTA and ITF appearing enthusiastic about the Rainbow Laces campaign or something similar, there is one critical question. Does tennis need to work harder on their LGBT inclusivity policies?
Academically, there have been few studies conducted into this area within recent years. However, a team of researchers in Australia has changed this. Dr Ryan Storr, Dr Jessica Richards, and Dr Gina Curro from Western Sydney University are the masterminds behind ‘Game On.’ A 31-page academic study that explores LGBT+ inclusion within the Australian Tennis system.
“One of the stand out messages from the data in this report is that many participants had early negative experiences of playing sport, and held a strong desire to be able to play and engage with tennis in a safe and affirming environment,” they conclude.
“Therefore, a key message to those working in tennis and facilitating LGBT+ inclusion, is to understand that those players, especially gay men in particular, do not come to the sport of tennis with a blank canvas, but with negative experiences and emotions such as fear of judgement, lacking confidence, shame and stigma, and poor self-efficacy of their own playing ability (for example that gay people are not good at sports).”
The report doesn’t specifically address professional tennis but amateurs. However, some of these key findings can be easily extrapolated to improve tennis development circuit. Particularly with players during their teenage years wanting to play sport professionally but may have some reservations due to their sexual orientation. One study by a group of Italian academics found that gay men were more likely to stop playing sports because of ‘a fear of being bullied and greater familial pressure to conform to masculine-type sports.’ These ‘negative experiences’ were also previously echoed by former world No.63 Vahaly.
“I’d never felt there were people in sports I could talk about it with because I just knew it was such a hyper-masculine and intense environment and I knew they weren’t really going to understand,” he told atptour.com.
“Frankly, it’s also tough to be vulnerable with players you’re competing against because we’re out there fighting for the same paycheque. It was something I inevitably came to terms with.”
Tennis has historically always been a welcoming spot for many LGBT people and there have been various campaigns conducted. The most successful of which has been Nick McCarvel’s LBGTennis events where individuals can discuss topics related to the gay community. Those events coincide with major tennis tournaments with previous guests including Kevin Anderson.
“There is some conservative thinking in the sport – and that’s fine – but the more you can be your authentic self on the court, in the locker room, in the press room, in the hallways of the Grand Slam arenas around the world – that is all very, abundantly important,” McCarvel told UbiTennis last year.
“Tennis is wonderfully gay. This sport touches the queer community like no other! Let’s highlight that. Let’s embrace it and do our (small little) part.”
However, there still appears to be some sort of gap on this issue when it comes to Tennis’ governing bodies. Maybe it will take the action by one to get the ball rolling. Something the authors of ‘Game On’ hope will be happening soon.
“Tennis Australia should use its platform and reach to show LGBT+ people in Australia and across the globe, how tennis is a sport where you can be your authentic self, accepted and welcomed for who you are. Just be yourself and play tennis,” they conclude.
