Tennis star Alison Van Uytvanck is showing off her bravery at Wimbledon this year.
She’s gay, and she’s not afraid to show it at the biggest tennis tournament in the world.
The 24-year-old Belgian, ranked 47 in the world,beat Anett Kontaveit in the third round.
After beating her on Court 3 at Wimbledon, Van Uytvacnk rushed over to kiss her girlfriend, Greet Minnem.
Tennis star kisses girlfriend at Wimbledon
‘We shouldn’t be ashamed about it,’ she said, proudly.
This is the first time the tennis star reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam. However, Van Uytvanck was knocked out by world number 14 Daria Kasatkina in the quarter finals.
Speaking at a press conference, she said she ‘felt more free’.
‘I don’t think that I feel more free now, we just decided that it was something we didn’t want to keep to ourselves.
‘I’m happy and it doesn’t make any difference if that’s with a woman or a man.
‘I just feel that it’s something we shouldn’t be ashamed about and that does make me feel more free.’
She added: ‘I’m not ill; I don’t have any kind of disease. I just think it’s a good thing because I have been able to come out as a gay person.’
The reaction to the kiss has been overwhelmingly positive.
‘My parents are very proud of me. Their support is important, because it makes me feel happier,’ Van Uytvanck said in March.
‘I came out because it made me feel good. I’m really happy with Greet. She understands me, she understands the game because she’s a player, we train together in the mornings. She’s a very warm person and we have a great connection. The only thing I hope is that young people have the confidence to do what we have done.’
