By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, December 1, 2025
Photo: Mika Brunold Instagram
Mika Brunold shared the gratitude and exit on social networks.
The 21-year-old Swiss player announced that he is gay in an Instagram post yesterday.
Brunold, who is currently ranked 310th, said that “hiding and pretending to be someone I’m not was never an option. That’s why I think it’s time to open up and share with you that I’m gay.”
Brunold is the first active ATP singles player to come out as gay.
“One of the most important things I’ve learned is that success on the field isn’t just about physical ability, it’s about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself,” Brunold posted on Instagram.
“I’ve thought 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 has never been an option. That’s why I think it’s time for me to open up and share with you that I’m gay.
“Being gay doesn’t just mean loving the same sex, it also means dealing with things most people never have to think about. The fear of rejection, the pressure to stay quiet, the feeling of being different. But I’ve grown up 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 this issue isn’t talked about enough in sports. I believe in an ideal world we wouldn’t need to come out at all. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me. Without you, I would never be the person I am today.”
“I am so grateful to all of you who have supported me. Without you, I would not be the person I am today.”
Grand Slam Champions Kim Clijsters AND Sloane Stephens both posted red heart emojis in response to Brunold’s outing Victoria Golubic posting three purple hearts of support.
Brunold is the second ATP professional 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 the 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 cuff injury ended the former American’s career.
