Men’s professional tennis just got a delightful, long-overdue boost of queer visibility, thanks to 21-year-old Swiss rising star Mika Brunold, who publicly came out as gay in an emotional, beautifully candid Instagram post. With this announcement, Brunold becomes only the second active openly gay male player on the ATP Tour, a milestone that somehow feels both shocking (it’s 2025!) and deeply celebratory.
Brunold—currently ranked No. 312 and quickly building a reputation as one of Switzerland’s most promising young players—posted a heartfelt message on Saturday sharing the part of himself he no longer wanted to hide. “I’m proud of who I am today,” he wrote, radiating the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from someone finally breathing in full color.
Photo Credit: @mike_brunold (Instagram)
He continued by reflecting on his evolution, both as an athlete and as a person:
“Success on the court isn’t just about physical skill — it’s about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself. Hiding it and pretending to be someone I’m not was never an option.”
It’s the kind of vulnerable honesty that sports desperately needs, delivered with the grace of someone who knows the power of speaking their truth.
Brunold’s Breakthrough Moment — On and Off the Court
If the name brunold is new to you, get ready to hear it a lot more. The young Swiss player has had a strong breakout season on the ATP Challenger Tour, even coming this close to qualifying for the prestigious Swiss Indoors in Basel last month. He pushed former world No. 62 Reilly Opelka to three sets in a match that had Swiss fans buzzing about “the next one to watch.”
And now? Turns out the kid had even bigger news in his back pocket.
Brunold’s announcement follows Brazilian player João Lucas Reis da Silva, who came out in December 2024 and became the first active gay male player on the ATP Tour. So when Brunold stepped forward this week, tennis officially doubled its out-and-proud roster — a number still way too small, but undeniably historic.
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A Post Filled With Heart — and a Subtle Read on Sports Culture
Brunold’s full coming-out message was tender, thoughtful, and deeply relatable to queer athletes everywhere. He talked about the pressure to stay quiet, the fear of rejection, and the way professional sports still make queerness feel like an unwelcome guest rather than an everyday reality.
“Being gay doesn’t just mean loving the same gender,” he wrote. “It also means dealing with things most people never have to think about.”
Photo Credit: @mika_brunold (Instagram)
Then he delivered the line that had LGBTQ+ sports writers nodding in unison:
“I believe that in an ideal world, we wouldn’t even need to ‘come out’ at all.”
It’s direct, honest, and delivered without bitterness — exactly the kind of energy we’ve come to expect from younger queer athletes who are rewriting the old rules of masculinity in sports.
The Tennis World Responds — Loudly, Proudly, and With Lots of Emojis
Support poured in almost instantly. Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters jumped in to cheer him on. Swiss compatriots Viktorija Golubic and Leandro Riedi left warm, affirming messages. Fans flooded his comments with rainbow hearts, Swiss flags, and variations of “KING!!”
And honestly? He deserves every bit of it.
In a sport where queer male players have historically either stayed silent, retired before opening up, or avoided addressing their sexuality altogether, Brunold stepping forward at just 21 feels refreshing and genuinely brave. He isn’t a veteran nearing the end of his career or someone with nothing to lose — he’s an active player with momentum, ambition, and a professional climb ahead of him. Choosing to be out now sends a powerful message: authenticity isn’t a liability — it’s strength.
Why Brunold’s Moment Matters
This isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a meaningful shift for men’s tennis. Every time an athlete like Brunold or Reis da Silva shares their truth, it chips away at outdated assumptions about masculinity in sport. It shows young queer athletes — whether they’re 12-year-olds at a local club or future pros training in academies — that there is space for them in the game.
Brunold didn’t just add his name to tennis history; he added his heart, his humanity, and his hope for a more inclusive sport.
And honestly? Men’s tennis just got a lot more interesting, a lot more authentic, and yes — a little bit gayer.
And we absolutely love to see it.
Congrats to him!! And not that it matters, but he’s a cutie!