Swiss tennis player Mika Brunold, currently ranked No. 307 in the ATP rankings, has publicly come out as gay in an emotional Instagram post. The 21-year-old, who stands at 6-foot-3 and is ranked No. 6 in Switzerland, explained his decision as both a personal step and a way to highlight the lack of conversation around sexuality in sports.
A heartfelt message
Brunold expressed that his journey has been about authenticity and self-acceptance. “Hiding it and pretending to be someone I’m not was never an option,” he wrote. He added that while it was not always easy to share, he felt it was time to be open. “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’m not was never an option. That’s why I feel it’s time for me to open up and share with you that I’m gay.”
Career and achievements
Brunold is considered a rising prospect in Swiss tennis. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 289 in August and competes primarily on the ATP Challenger Tour. This year he reached two semifinals and three quarterfinals in Challenger events. He also came close to a breakthrough moment in Basel, where he held six match points against Reilly Opelka in qualifying before narrowly losing.
Support from the tennis community
His announcement was met with widespread support from fellow players and organizations. Viktorija Golubic, Leandro Riedi, Eva Lys, and Kim Clijsters all responded positively, while the Swiss tennis federation left a supportive comment on his post. Brunold himself emphasized the importance of staying true to his identity. “Success on the court isn’t about physical skill—it’s about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself,”
he wrote.A growing movement in tennis
Brunold becomes the second male tennis player to come out publicly in the past year, following Brazil’s Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, who shared photos with his boyfriend in December. His decision adds to a growing conversation about representation and acceptance in professional tennis.
Brunold’s openness marks a significant moment in his career and personal life. His words underline the courage it takes to share such a message in the world of sports, while also offering inspiration to others who may face similar challenges. “I’m deeply grateful for everyone who supported me. Without you, I would never be the person I am today,” he concluded.
Mika Brunold in 2025
At the moment ranked no.307, Brunold played his last match on the 17th of November when he lost to world no.279 Beibit Zhukayev 6-3 1-6 6-3 in the 1st round of the Bergamo Challenger (draw).
Presently, during this year Brunold owns a 32-25 match record. Mika Brunold’s most significant achievement of the present year was reaching the semifinal in the Nottingham Challenger and the Royan Challenger.