Roger Federer would welcome gay athletes on the men’s pro tennis tour.
That’s the message the greatest professional male tennis player of all time again sent when he was asked at the Western & Southern Open near Cincinnati what he thought of the upcoming event in New York City celebrating LGBTQ inclusion in tennis, and the idea of having out tennis players on the ATP Tour.
“Yeah, I think no problem at all,” Federer told Jonathan Newman of The Body Serve. “Yeah, it is true we have not had it. Don’t know why, you know? Have we not had any, or some players have just chosen to not do it? I think it would be totally accepted, no problem.
“I’m all for it, it’s a good thing. It doesn’t matter where you came from, who you are, I’m all for it that you’re open about it. I think you’ll feel better in the process, to be honest, and everybody should support one another on this planet.”
Federer’s home country of Switzerland is one of the few Western European nations that has not yet legalized same-sex marriage.
Various women have been publicly out while still playing professional tennis, including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Amelie Mauresmo and several current players. However, no top-100 player on the men’s tour has ever come out publicly while still playing.
The LGBTQ-inclusion event in New York City on Aug. 23 will feature the voices of Brian Vahaly, the highest-ranked former men’s pro tennis player to come out as gay, and Nick McCarvel, who currently works in the tennis media. Tickets are only $10, or two for $15, so if you’re in New York next week, be sure to stop by.
