Vahaly talks LGBTQ inclusion journey on "Tennis United" show

Each June, and other times throughout the year, Brian Vahaly moves to the forefront of the pro tennis conversation. Each year, his perspectives become all the more imperative to, frankly, save young LGBTQ lives.

As a healthy byproduct, kids growing up LGBTQ, whether they recognize that yet or not, can observe his example and know that there's a seat at the table of tennis for them. That they belong alongside other youth and adult players of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and other dimensions of difference.

"It takes a little bit of courage up front, but ultimately, I think we're creating the right building blocks," Vahaly told Tennis United co-host and active pro Vasek Pospisil, noting that there's certainly more work to be done. Here's his full segment on that weekly program:

"Kids are watching this," Vahaly said, recognizing the impact that words alone can have to make life better, less lonely, for youth who are minority group members. "They just are, and I think that it's gonna make it even easier for them to potentially have these conversations in high school and college, and by the time they get to the tour, they'll say, 'What's the big deal?' And they'll probably make fun of old people like me, which is good."

Vahaly reached a career-high ranking of No. 57 in March 2003, thanks in part to an Indian Wells quarterfinal run that included three victories over Top 10 foes Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Robredo, and Fernando Gonzalez. He came out publicly in 2017 and is married to husband Bill Jones, with whom he's raising young twin sons, Bennett and Parker, through their young family's "surrogacy journey."

Vahaly knew how to check himself so as not to impede his tennis career. Some innate aspects of his being became obvious, yet he was classically trained in the art of compartmentalizing.

"If there's one thing I'm good at, it's managing emotion, and managing stress," Vahaly shared with Pospisil, adding, "I never felt there were people in sports who I could talk about it with, because it was such a hypermasculine and intense environment, and I knew they weren't really going to understand it."

"I'm late to the game," Vahaly said. "I'm envious of these twenty-something guys who were super-proud of themselves at 18, and don't have to deal with the hiding, and the discomfort I felt. I had a lot of discomfort on the court, and I think a lot of it had to do with emotions I was really good at shoving down."

Sensing a distinct gap in the USTA leadership ranks in terms of LGBTQ representation, Vahaly joined the organization's board of directors, and regularly leads on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

"How can people know that they can find themselves in the game, and see themselves in the game?" Vahaly said, adding, "I didn't see myself in it."

Increasingly inclusive and thoughtful conversations about LGBTQ topics, and shared by LGBTQ tennis players and observers, lay ahead. A seat at the table will be appreciated always, and being called on to address those assembled—and to catalyze change—often remains the next step in that progression.