The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans ahead of the 2025 US Open. On June 18, 2025, Brian Vahaly—chairman and co‑CEO of the USTA and former ATP professional—publicly emphasized the organization’s dedication to expanding LGBTQ+ initiatives during an exclusive interview with Them.
Vahaly, the first male former ATP player to publicly come out (2017), disclosed the USTA’s ambition to host its fifth annual Open Pride Day on August 28 during fan week at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He also announced deeper collaborations with prominent organizations such as the Trevor Project. According to USTA communications, this partnership will include intensified mental health and suicide prevention efforts aimed at LGBTQ+ youth, continuing the groundwork laid by their previous partnerships with You Can Play and Athlete Ally.
Personal Journey Inspires Inclusive Leadership
Brian Vahaly’s public coming-out in 2017 marked a pivotal shift in tennis inclusivity. Long after his professional career had ended, he realized his family and children deserved a voice unafraid to call forth acceptance. Though the announcement received mixed responses—ranging from heartfelt support to hostility—it catalyzed the USTA’s efforts toward reinforcing tennis as a safe, welcoming space.
Vahaly explained that his lived experiences in a homophobic locker-room culture shaped his mission. As chairman, he’s taken a proactive stance, declaring that he’ll make the US Open “as inclusive as it can be.” His vision includes amplifying LGBTQ+ visibility through speeches, activations, and an expanded festival atmosphere around Pride Day at the tournament .
Pride Day: A Platform for Visibility
Open Pride Day has become a fixture since its launch in 2021, initially titled “Love All: An Open Conversation.” The event evolved into a staple in 2022 and 2023, each year attracting more attendees and broader media attention.
The 2024 edition featured high-profile panels, community tributes, and installations across the grounds . Looking ahead to August 28, 2025, Vahaly outlined plans to bring in LGBTQ+ cultural figures in arts and entertainment and to ensure programming goes beyond a one-off event, embedding inclusion as a core Grand Slam value .