WTA and ATP celebrate Pride Month

When talking about equality in tennis, everyone immediately thinks of Billie Jean King. She's a champion for social justice, equality, women's rights and the LGBQT community, as well as a living legend of the game.

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The 12-time Grand Slam champion used her racquet to ignite change for female players and beyond. Her "coming out" wasn't on her terms as she was outed in a palimony suit by her former partner, Marilyn Barnett.

King would stand proud and strong in the face of adversity. It's because of her dominance on the court and determination in demanding change that not only formed the Women's Tennis Association but also has pushed it to where it is today.

WTA players took the time to celebrate pride month and shared messages on how others can get involved in the ongoing battle for equality.

"Pride month isn't just a moment, it's a movement," said doubles No. 48 Sharon Fichman.

"Join us in pledging your support and visit the website "You Can Play" to see how you can make a difference," said UNC standout Haley Carter.

The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for everyone who participates in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans. The project strives to create welcoming communities and outlets for everyone that instills a sense of belonging. In support, both the ATP and WTA came together to make a donation to the initiative.

Also during pride month, former world No. 64 Brian Vahaly spoke to Tennis United co-host Vasek Pospisil about the struggles he faced as a gay athlete (starting at 13:35).

Vahaly talked about how he felt like he had to constantly work harder to deconstruct the overwhelming thoughts in his brain. It was a massive process for the ATP player who tried to "pray it away" and deny his desires at first, before accepting and embracing who he was.

"I never thought there were people in sports that I could talk about it with, and I just knew it was such a hyper-masculine intense environment," Vahaly said. "I knew that they weren't really going to understand and frankly it's tough to be vulnerable with a lot of players you're competing against."

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Not an activist by nature, the introvert spent years hiding his true identity. Vahaly competed in the early 2000's and while progress has been made, he didn't accept himself fully until after his playing days were over.

"The gay movement was sort of coming out—it was still not terribly well accepted across the world. I'm a little bit late to the game," Vahaly said. "I'm envious of these 20-something guys who are super proud of themselves at 18, and don't have to deal with the hiding and the discomfort I felt."

Vahaly has now been married for five years and is a proud father of two twin boys, Bennett and Parker.

Currently, Vahaly is on the board of directors for the USTA and works heavily on diversity and inclusion efforts. He is constantly trying to improve the game by making LGBQT players feel welcomed, accepted and celebrated.

He ended his chat with Pospisil with one piece of advice for anyone going through a similar situation he endured.

"They are going to be most successful if they are authentically themselves," he said. "I think the support is there from a national governing bodies perspective. I think the fact that the ATP is even  having a conversation about this speaks volumes."