Swiss Tennis Star Mika Brunold Comes Out as Gay, Becomes Second Active Male Pro to Publicly Share His Identity

On Saturday, November 30, 2025, Mika Brunold, a 21-year-old Swiss tennis player currently ranked No. 307 in the ATP world rankings, publicly came out as gay through an emotional and thoughtful Instagram post. The announcement represents a significant moment not only for Brunold personally but also for professional tennis, a sport that has historically lacked visible LGBTQ+ representation among active male players.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander, who is ranked as Switzerland's No. 6 player, shared a lengthy statement with his followers explaining his decision to come out publicly. In his post, Brunold articulated the internal journey that led him to this moment of public disclosure, describing how he spent countless hours perfecting his game, his physical fitness, and his mental approach to tennis. However, he emphasized that through all of this dedication to his sport, he learned a crucial lesson about what true success means.

"I want to share something personal with you. As a professional tennis player, I've spent countless hours working on my game, my body, and my mindset. 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," Brunold wrote in his Instagram post.

The young athlete went on to discuss the internal conflict he had experienced regarding his sexual orientation. He explained that being gay had always been a part of his identity, and that hiding it or pretending to be someone else was never something he could accept. Brunold's candid acknowledgment of the challenges associated with being gay reflected a mature understanding of the broader struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

"I've been thinking a lot about how to talk about this. And 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," he continued.

Brunold further elaborated on what being gay means beyond romantic attraction, highlighting the psychological and social dimensions of LGBTQ+ identity. "Being gay doesn't just mean loving the same gender – it also means dealing with things most people never have to think about. 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," he stated.

Beyond his personal coming out, Brunold used his platform to advocate for increased visibility and discussion of LGBTQ+ identities within professional sports. He acknowledged that such conversations remain insufficient in athletic environments, where athletes often feel pressure to remain closeted or invisible.

"I'm sharing this with you to take a step for myself, but also because I think it's not talked about enough in sports. I believe that in an ideal world, we wouldn't even need to 'come out'at all," Brunold wrote. His statement reflects a vision of sports environments where sexual orientation and gender identity are simply accepted as natural aspects of human diversity, requiring no special announcement or disclosure.

The athlete expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him throughout his journey. "I'm deeply grateful for everyone who supported me. Without you, I would never be the person I am today," he concluded in his post.

Brunold's announcement was met with an outpouring of support from across the professional tennis community. His fellow Swiss players, including Viktorija Golubic and Leandro Riedi, publicly expressed their support. Additionally, Germany's Eva Lys, ranked as the WTA's No. 1 German player, and International Tennis Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters also left supportive messages on his post.

The Swiss Tennis Federation itself demonstrated institutional support by leaving an affirming comment on Brunold's Instagram post. This response from both individual athletes and official sports organizations signals a positive shift toward greater acceptance and inclusion within professional tennis.

Brunold's coming out makes him the second active male professional tennis player on the ATP tour to publicly disclose his sexual orientation in recent history. In December 2024, Brazilian tennis player João Lucas Reis da Silva became the first openly gay active professional men's tennis player when he publicly confirmed his relationship with Brazilian actor and model Gui Sampaio Ricardo by sharing photos on Instagram.

The emergence of these two openly gay male players within a span of approximately one year represents meaningful progress for LGBTQ+ visibility in professional tennis. Historically, professional tennis has had very few openly gay men competing at the highest levels, despite the sport having a significant LGBTQ+ fan base and a number of out lesbian players on the women's professional circuit.

Brunold, a native of Winterthur near Zurich, has been steadily building his professional tennis career. During the 2025 season, his best results included reaching the semifinals at the Lexus Nottingham Challenger and the Royan Atlantique Open. He also advanced to the quarterfinals at the Koblenz Open, Zug Open, and Open de Roanne.

In August 2025, Brunold achieved a career-high ATP ranking of No. 289. He primarily competes on the ATP Challenger Tour, where he has demonstrated consistent improvement and competitive ability. Notably, in a qualifying match at the Swiss Indoors against Reilly Opelka, Brunold came close to a significant upset, reaching six match points before ultimately losing. He also competed in the first qualifying round at the Swiss Indoors but lost to Opelka.

Brunold's decision to come out publicly carries significance that extends beyond professional tennis. His courageous disclosure and the supportive response from the tennis community demonstrate that attitudes toward LGBTQ+ athletes continue to evolve, particularly among younger generations of athletes and sports organizations. The fact that Brunold felt comfortable sharing his identity and that he received widespread affirmation suggests a shifting culture within professional sports.

The young player's emphasis on authenticity and self-discovery resonates with broader conversations about mental health, well-being, and performance in sports. By connecting his coming out to his understanding of success on the court, Brunold challenges traditional narratives that separate personal identity from athletic performance. His message suggests that athletes perform better when they are able to be their authentic selves, a perspective supported by research in sports psychology.

As Brunold continues his professional tennis career, his public identity as a gay athlete will likely inspire other LGBTQ+ individuals in tennis and other sports to consider coming out. His thoughtful articulation of his journey and his advocacy for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports contribute to ongoing cultural shifts within professional athletics. The support he received from teammates, competitors, and sports organizations demonstrates that there is space for LGBTQ+ athletes in professional tennis, though work remains to be done to ensure full inclusion and acceptance across all levels of the sport.