Where do we go from here?
Perhaps the best direction to take should be based on the experiences of those few out players already on the Tour. Tara Moore has been ranked as high as 145th in the world and has played in the main draw three times. The 28-year-old has won nine ITF titles.
“What the football teams and FA are doing with Rainbow Laces and rainbow bands is such a great initiative and really brings to light inclusivity and more importantly acceptance within their sport. In tennis, although we are accepted within our peers, I feel the WTA and ATP could perhaps adopt something similar to rainbow laces and get their big named players to speak out in support of inclusivity within tennis,” Moore told UbiTennis via email.
“I think it’s quite telling that in men’s sports there are still very few outwardly gay men so there’s still a stigma surrounding that.”
Moore’s talk about potential stigma is something that raises concerns among many, including Dr Storr who points out that an athlete trying to hide their sexuality could have a negative impact on their performance. Speaking with UbiTennis, he points out that tennis is a popular sport with gay men despite the lack of out players.
“One thing that does stand out though is the amount of gay male players in the sample, so we know gay men are attracted to playing tennis- but at the higher levels they are not out,” he commented on his research for the Game On study.
“Compare this with the women though, where there are lots of out elite players past and present – Demi Schuurs, Sam Stosur – with just a few men – most noticeable after coming out. Jan Michael Gambill regularly posts about his partner on his Instagram but not really seen many articles of him speaking out about it. Brian Vahley has spoken about it and now has a family.’
“One thing to highlight is that when male professional athletes have to hide their identity and who they are – it will no doubt have an impact on performance.”
Last year the International Review for the Sociology of Sport published a study which found athletes developed greater happiness and self-confidence within their sport after coming out. Their findings were based on accounts of 60 different athletes which were published on outsports.com.
“When players can be themselves and be out – it has a positive impact on LGBT+ people and can attract them to the sport, as they have the perception that the sport is welcoming,” Storr explains.
“If professional bodies want to grow their game, sell more tickets, attract more fans etc- and really develop a business case – they need to show that they are inclusive – and their players are their main selling point.’
“They should do everything in the ability to help players be themselves, and market them appropriately and give them support.”
As to what should be done, one recommendation is for the governing bodies of tennis to implement a strategy directed specifically towards LGBT people in order to attract them to the sport. Hence the importance of the Rainbow Laces campaign to a certain extent.
“They are missing out on a talent pool of LGBT+ athletes if they do not perceive it to be safe and welcoming. But considering it is estimated to be 10-15% of the population in western societies (LGBT+ people) – as a global sport organisation you cannot disregard or not engage/ market to a large subsection of the population,” Storr explains.
“That’s why events like what Nick Mcarvel has run, and the Australian open – glam slam and pride arena – are so important – to raise visibility and ultimately communicate that tennis or whichever tennis organisation is a welcoming sport and one that wants LGBT+ people to engage with and that they will be supported and welcomed.”
There are more than 1500 players who have a professional ranking on the ATP Tour but none of them are openly LGBT. Maybe like the Premier League in football it takes one brave person to come out first to start a change. Either way, it is clear there is more that needs to be done.
