By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, December 1, 2025Photo credit: Mika Brunold Instagram
Mika Brunold shared gratitude and coming out on social media.
The 21-year-old Swiss player announced he is gay in an Instagram post yesterday.
Brunold, who is currently ranked No. 310, said “hiding it and pretending to be someone I am not was never an option. That is why I think it is time to open up and share with you that I am gay.”
Brunold is the first active ATP singles player to come out as gay.
“One of the most important things I have 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 posted on Instagram.
“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 am not was never an option. That’s why I feel it’s time for me to open up and share with you that I am gay.
“Being gay doesn’t just mean loving the same gender, it also means dealing with things that 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.
“I’m sharing this with you to take a step forward for myself, but also because I think that this issue is not talked about enough in sports. I believe that, in an ideal world, we wouldn’t even need to come out at all. I am deeply grateful for everyone who supported me. Without you, I would never be the person I am today.”
“I am very grateful to all of you who have supported me. Without you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters and Sloane Stephens both posted red heart emojis in response to Brunold’s coming out with Victorija Golubic posting three purple hearts of support.
Brunold is the second ATP pro in the past 11 months to come out as gay. Brazilian doubles player João Lucas Reis da Silva came out as gay last winter becoming, at that time, the only ATP player to publicly declare his homosexuality.
Current USTA President and former ATP standout Brian Vahaly made history when he came out as gay in 2017, years after a rotator cuff injury ended the former all American’s pro career.
