Is gigi fernandez gay
LGBTQ Tennis
The sports nature historically does not have a wonderful reputation when it comes to LGBTQ acceptance and tolerance. However, the sport of Tennis stands out as one which has forged its own fascinating and unique history with several LGBTQ players and stories.
Recently, the US Tennis Association created its first-ever tournament with divisions specifically for same-sex couples.
Many of the LGBTQ Tennis stories are not that well known. We need to transform that!
To be sure, there is still much progress to be made. Tennis stars such as Martina Navratilova and sports analysts have recently contributed some constructive insights into the course of LGBTQ recognition in the sport (see 'Further Research/Reading' below). Nevertheless, significant milestones have been made by a number of LGBTQ tennis greats. For example, do you know:
- which gay tennis player is considered the greatest male tennis player of all time (winning the US Open a record 7 times, and a career winning percentage of 94%), was nicknamed 'the Oscar Wilde of the tennis world', but was barred from professional tennis when it was revealed he was gay?
- which lesbian tennis player is noted for
Gigi Fernández is a Lesbian Mom!!!
About Larry La Fountain
I am a writer, professor, and artist, living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1968 and my sign is Aries. I published a book of compact stories called Uñas pintadas de azul/Blue Fingernails (Tempe, Arizona: Bilingual Press) in 2009. I also wrote a book of essays on queer Puerto Rican migration and culture called Queer Ricans: Cultures and Sexualities in the Diaspora (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2009).
View all entries by Larry La Fountain
Subscribe!RSSiTunesTwitterEmailEmailLatest Comments
Trending Tags
‘Raised to Get Married’ – 59YO Tennis Legend Gigi Fernandez Beams With Event as She Sheds Light on How She Transformed Regressive Attitudes
Achievements don’t only mean your trophies and titles, but also the legacy you’ve created. In a candid remark, Puerto Rican tennis legend Gigi Fernandez shared what makes her proud. 59-year-old Fernandez holds many records to her name. She has won the Major doubles title 17 times throughout her career. But when she was asked which of these achievements are worth taking pride in, Gigi had a different answer ready.
She represented the USA when she won both her Olympic medals. However, Fernandez is a Puerto Rican. Fernandez played for a total of 14 prosperous and rewarding years in the circuit before she retired.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Gigi Fernandez and her most prized achievement
Gigi Fernandez, even after becoming a successful player, never forgot her roots. Fernandez takes immense pride in who she is and where she comes from. So when she was asked about any particular achievement that makes her proud, the answer was quite obvious.
Gigi addressed the fact that she gave a chance to girls support in her cou
Gigi Fernandez was a Puerto Rico native who played for the island nation at the 1984 Olympics in the tennis demonstration event. Fernandez later became one of the world’s top players, especially in doubles, and competed at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics for the Together States, winning the doubles gold medal both times alongside her namesake Mary Joe Fernandez, who is no relation. Gigi also won two gold medals, in both singles and doubles at the 1983 Pan American Games, acting for her native Puerto Rico.
Gigi Fernandez won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles – two Australians, six French, four Wimbledons, and five US Opens. She won a doubles Grand Slam each year from 1990-97, and in 1992-94, won three of the four titles. She won 14 of her 17 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside Russian player Natasha Zvereva. In all Fernandez won 69 WTA Tour doubles titles, adding two singles titles.
Fernandez became a tennis coach and entrepreneur, and earned a college degree from the University of South Florida in 2003. She is director of tennis at Chelsea Piers in Connecticut. Her long-time partner was Jane Geddes, a former LPGA golfer who became an executive with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment