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Former Pro Tennis Player Brian Vahaly Champions LGBTQ+ Visibility at U.S. Open Event
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On August 14, 2025, Brian Vahaly, a retired American professional tennis player who reached the ATP top 100, took center stage at a U.S. Open-associated event dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The gathering, hosted in partnership with Outsports, brought together athletes, coaches, and advocates to discuss the progress and ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within tennis and the broader athletic community .
Vahaly’s presence at the event carried particular significance. He came out publicly as gay in 2017, years after his retirement, and has since become a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes. During his competitive career, Vahaly faced the pressures of the closet in a sport that, until recently, had few openly gay male players. In his remarks, Vahaly reflected on the isolation he felt and the importance of creating spaces where athletes can be authentically themselves .
The U.S. Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, has increasingly used its platform to promote diversity and inclusion. This year’s event, which featured panel discussions and outreach activities led by Outsports and supported by the USTA , emphasized that visibility is vital for LGBTQ+ athletes—especially in a sport where openly gay male players remain rare at the elite level .
Panelists highlighted the progress made since Vahaly’s playing days, citing growing support networks and the emergence of role models across tennis. However, they also pointed to the ongoing need for robust policies and education to combat homophobia and transphobia in locker rooms and on the court .
Vahaly’s story resonated with attendees, as he spoke candidly about the impact of visibility and the encouragement he received from the LGBTQ+ community after coming out. “When I was playing, there was no one I could look up to who was out,” Vahaly said. “Now, I want to be that person for the next generation of athletes” .
The event also featured remarks from LGBTQ+ tennis fans, USTA officials, and advocates who described the power of representation in breaking down stereotypes and inspiring young athletes. Attendees called for continued outreach, mentorship programs, and the amplification of LGBTQ+ voices in sports media .
The USTA reaffirmed its commitment to creating welcoming environments for all participants, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Initiatives such as Pride Night at the U.S. Open and year-round educational programming aim to ensure that tennis is truly inclusive at every level .
Experts and advocates at the event agreed that while progress has been made, greater visibility and leadership from top players, coaches, and organizations remain essential. As Vahaly and Outsports continue to spotlight LGBTQ+ stories, the hope is that tennis will soon see more openly LGBTQ+ athletes competing at the sport’s highest levels—and that their presence will inspire others to follow.
The U.S. Open event serves as a model for other major sporting organizations looking to foster inclusion and celebrate LGBTQ+ athletes. By centering the voices of those with lived experience—like Brian Vahaly—the tennis community is taking tangible steps toward a more equitable and supportive future .
