Tennis star wins hearts after kissing her girlfriend at Wimbledon
Belgian tennis star Alison Van Uytvanck has won queer hearts after kissing her girlfriend after she won a match at Wimbledon.
Van Uytvanck beat Anett Kontaveit in the third round match, before rushing over to kiss her partner Greet Minnem, a fellow Belgian tennis player.
The star has has since been knocked out of the tournament during her fourth round match against Daria Kasatkina, who is seeded fourteenth.
Speaking at a press conference after her win against Kontaveit, Van Uytvanck spoke out about being openly lesbian – and going public about her relationship with Minnem.
“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,” she said.
“I’m happy and it doesn’t make any difference if that’s with a woman or a man.
Van Uytvanck playing against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during their fourth round match on day seven of Wimbledon on July 9. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“I just feel that it’s something we shouldn’t be ashamed about and that does make me feel more free.”
The star 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 star, ranked 47 in the world, had already turned heads when she defeated defending Wimbledon champion and number three seed Garbiñe Muguruza last week.
Special thanks to my love Greet for being my biggest fan . And to my whole family: mom/dad/Sean and Brett (brothers) for helping me next to the court and supporting me through everything. See you next year! (2/2)#filatennis #thermaecom #ford #abautomotivevilvoordebrussels pic.twitter.com/EC5hT1CZTI
— Alison Van Uytvanck (@AlisonVanU) July 10, 2018
Van Uytvanck has previously discussed being openly gay, and the positive response from her parents.
“My parents are very proud of me. Their support is important, because it makes me feel happier,” she reportedly 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.”
