Swiss Tennis Player Mika Brunold Comes Out as Gay in Heartfelt Message to Fans

Rising tennis player Mika Brunold has come out as gay.

The 21-year-old Swiss athlete, who is ranked #307 in the world, just came out with an emotional message on Saturday (November 29). In the letter, Mika spoke about identity, honesty, and the pressure many athletes feel to hide parts of themselves while competing at the highest level.

“Heyy. Today I want to share something personal with you,” Mika began. “As a professional tennis player, I’ve spent countless hours working on my game, my body, and my mindset. Through all of this, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that success on the court isn’t just about physical skill – it’s about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself.”

Mika explained that he had been searching for the right way to talk about his identity and that keeping quiet was never something he could comfortably do.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about how to talk about this,” he continued. “And while it hasn’t always been easy, hiding it and pretending to be someone I’m not was never an option.”

Mika added, “That’s why I feel 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 gender – it also means dealing with things 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.”

He also said that he hopes his honesty can help others in the world of sports who may feel the same way.

“I’m sharing this with you to take a step for myself, but also because I think it’s not talked about enough in sports. I believe that in an ideal world, we wouldn’t even need to come out at all. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who supported me. Without you, I would never be the person I am today.”

In December 2024, Brazilian tennis player João Lucas Reis da Silva, who is currently ranked #191, became the first active professional men’s player to publicly come out as gay.