What is it About Tennis and Gay Guys?

I admit, I am confused.  I have theories, but I honestly don't know.  I'd love to hear other viewpoints.

Why do gay guys seemingly love tennis disproportionately to the rest of the male population in the US?

Let me preface this by saying that I am about to reference what I see as general trends, not absolutes.  There are tons of exceptions to these rules, so don't get bent.  I am also not saying one sport is better than another, although the numbers don't lie about which sports (NFL, MLB, NBA) are far more popular.

Put on a football game in a gay bar, and only a select few will watch.  Lots of guys I've asked say the game is too confusing to follow with so many rules.

For baseball? It's too slow.

But I wanna know why gay guys go insane about tennis, and especially women's tennis.  I used to watch tennis far more than I do now.  I can appreciate how talented these people are and how difficult the sport is.  But every sport is difficult.  Hitting a 95-MPH baseball thrown at you is the most difficult skill in all of sports.

But I'm far more likely to run into a gay guy obsessing about women's tennis than about the Super Bowl.  And it baffles me.

So I wanna know why, if any tennis-obsessed folks will share...

Some theories:

- Everyone who plays tennis is in great shape, and the game slows down enough on TV to see how hot the guys are (in t-shirts and shorts, not uniforms and helmets)

- Guys who weren't good enough, or confident enough, to make their high school teams in the more traditional sports (baseball, football, basketball) instead turned to tennis or swimming or volleyball

- Tennis is mostly an individual sport, where you only have to rely on and answer to yourself, not your teammates (cue the psychiatrist's angle about gay men and insecurities about athleticism)

- The rules of tennis are less complex than other sports, making it easier to understand for casual fans

So assuming the theory is true that we follow sports because we aspire to be the athletes that we root for - based on their supreme talents and abilities - again I ask why gay guys lean on tennis so much for their obsessions?

A significant portion of the heterosexual population in America puts football, baseball, and basketball light years ahead of the other sports.  This is not disputable.  The average Joe is as likely to hit a precise 115-MPH tennis serve as he is to throw a precise 15-yard out, hit a 91-MPH cutter, drain a 22-footer with two defenders in his face, etc.

So why tennis?  It's a great sport, don't get me wrong.  I'd just love to know why so many gay guys are obsessed with it, as opposed to the more traditional sports.

(Photo: Getty Images)

---

Chase Parker believes in the East Coast bias, stretching triples into doubles, and considers Tommy Boy to be the greatest athlete of our generation.

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

Comments

[Joe Moag]

I don't know what gay bars you hang around in. Perhaps it's a San Diego thing, a city the MLB and NFL teams suck.

In Chicago's gay bars, if you try putting on a tennis match you'll get pummeled, especially if it conflicts in any way, shape or form with football (college or pro) or baseball (Cubs or Sox).

But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that more gay guys like tennis than MLB or NFL. Maybe some of your reasons are germaine...I think that the team aspect of it could be a big part (no harrassing from team members if you are gay if there are no team members). Maybe? But then, wouldn't gay guys love golf as well? Do they? I don't know.

Still can't agree with your premise...

[another fun]

can't contribute much to the question, sorry, but i am obsessed with tennis, especially WTA, follow every tournament.
can't wait when Sharapova will be up :P

[Redlantern82]

Male tennis players have the best asses in the world. Period.

[Fernando]

Is this a serious question?? Tennis gives gay men what they want: style, sex and drama. The women's game is full of trash talking divas donning high end fashion as they travel across the globe playing in only the poshest of cities. the men's tour is full of hot men with foreign accents bashing balls while belting out grunts and moans. I mean, come on!

[dan w.]

your blog is highly insulting. i started watching with my very heterosexual brother. yeah, i'm open to the females and that might have to do with being gay but i hate the stereotypes you lay on your own people and i'm sure some will gladly go along with them so bravo to you for perpetuating them. this is 2009, there's a person of color in the white house. can gay writers and websites aim for some progress, please?

[Ashley S]

Wow, this question is completely moronic. And the points made are even more so. First of all, if the comment about individual sports were true, then the world of boxing would be inundated with gay guys. Regarding the simplicity, the rules may not be heavily burndened with calls of holding, icing, or double dribbling, but the scoring system is vastly more complex. This point about not making it onto team sports due to a lack of confidence its at best DUMB. In no other sport is more of a spotlight placed on your own flaws, and exposing yourself like that takes WAY more courage and confidence than being part of a "team". I was excited that there may be an actual story about tennis, but perhaps the author of this story should question his own authority and capacity in relation to sports. In the famous words of Johnny Mac, YOU CANT BE SERIOUS!

[Daniel]

Although I am not sure if the love of tennis is true for a majority or minority of gay men, it is certainly true for me. No matter how hot the guys are the women's game is by far my favorite. The drama of the ladies is appealing to me and perhaps there is a bit of diva worship there. Not that I consider myself fem at all (nothing wrong with those who do) I am certainly not an uber macho guy and perhaps my middle of the road to "soft" personality has something to do with that. I hated football, too intimidating and rough, as well as basketball, I'm too uncoordinated. I actually liked playing baseball but don't like watching it on TV. Huge follower of the football and basketball teams of my former university although I never played or liked playing those sports. Don't know if the perceived trend of gays liking tennis is true overall but for me the writer of this piece is right on.

[Tom Burke]

Just one look at Nadal's butt and there is your answer!

[greyhound1954]

This writer's basic premise is bogus; sports-loving gays don't disproportionately crave pro tennis, regardless of which gender is playing. When I watch tennis, it's only the Slam events and then only when certain stars are playing. (BTW I think, pound-for-pound, John McEnroe is the greatest player ever, although Borg is my fave player all-time.) Do yourself a favor: Find these tennis articles by David Foster Wallace: "Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley" and his piece on pro player Michael Joyce. Wallace's take on the game heightened my own appreciation and understanding of the game.

[Bryan]

iVamos Nadal! iVamos Serena!

[blue_sun_]

I just got back from playing tennis. I'd say it's my personality rather than my being gay that makes me love tennis. It's to me a very difficult mental game. You're always trying to keep focus, keep control of your emotions and have your confidence, and keep precision. It's controlled aggression to me, so I don't buy it being less aggressive than say football; don't you think hitting the ball right sounds like cracking perhaps someone's head open? Probably not, never heard it. But that's what's soothing about it. Errrr, I got into it with people who played football, martial arts, and played frisbee.

[Sean]

I watch Tennis for one reason: "Raphael Nadal". I fell in love with him over Beijing and I still watch the tennis channel all the time. I liked it enough to invest in some court shoes and a racket.

[Sebastian]

I've always liked tennis. Since I was a kid I was obsessed with it. I played in high school, captain of the team. I really like the individual aspect of it. I can focus on myself, and I can get so focused. Tennis for more is more of an addiction than a sport for me. I don't care as much for women's tennis as I do men's tennis. Women's tennis a bit watered down in comparison. There are some real athletes on the court though of both sexes.

Tennis is also a great international sport. Baseball, football and basketball are found all over the world, but tennis is far more popular. I tend to go for tennis and soccer because they're more international I guess.

[Boyd]

While not a major follower of tennis, I do find Andy Roddick both fascinating and utterly gorgeous. That poor guy tries so very hard and is constantly beaten, often by Federer. Roddick just can't get a break, and it's a bit heartbreaking to see him try his hardest and still come up short. I guess I like to root for underdogs, and Roddick is very much an underdog.

[David]

maybe it's the men running back and forth with us imagining what their sweaty balls smell like...mmmmmmmmm..LOL

[Tyler]

Tennis? I like snowboarding far more than tennis. Tennis, I usually just end up hitting the ball back and forth between my friends because none of us know how to keep score. Snowboarding, it doesn't matter how many times I fall I just keep going to the finish line which is more fun than hitting that little ball back and forth.

[Robert M]

It's a fuzzy ball thing. . .

[greg]

Living most of my life here in San Diego, I have yet to see everyone at a Gay Bar here "Go Insane" over tennis.
If the author had a one time experience here during the summer Olympics, then maybe as San Diegans are very fun loving high spirited people. Can you blame us... we have the best weather.
Besides 9 times out of 10 people during the summer here are from somewhere else in the country.
We also have an Olympic Training Center here in which includes tennis & our weather year round is mostly perfect for that.
Gay San Diegan's travel to June Gay Prides across the country because June is peak hetro tourist season.
And San Diego's Gay pride is durint the last 2 weeks of July.
San Diego is very Gay Friendly even outside of it's Gay Slum "Hillcrest", one of the cleanist & safest neighborhoods. San Diego is a different Gay Planet from LA or SF and highly recommend it for any Gay Tourist as I have traveled to many places glad & lucky to call this home.
There is a Gay Surf Club & a lot of Gay triatheletes too.
Men Tennis Players thighs & Buttocks are fine tone & tuned for hardcore spring action, but watching the women play I must agree is far more entertaining.
I think Real Men who are Gay go insane over Rugby where eveyone pull & tugs on each other basically wearing the same attire as tennis players except trying to rip them off each other.
Now that is HOT

[dave]

Tennis is ok. I dont get the score keeping. I played hockey, and football and a kid. I like to play tennis but cant only watch a little of it. Im not good, but its fun.

I like rqt ball more so even.....

[G]

why in hell are you generalizing that ALL gay guys like tennis?

How much do you get paid for these moronic opinions?

[Ryan]

This is so funny that you write this because I have always asked myself the same question. Although I have notised it more on online profiles when guys put their interests. I am not saying it is an easy sport by any means, but I think that it makes some gay guys feel a bit more masculine because it is actually a sport, but does not require any hard physical contact, so they feel it is something they could actually do without embarrassing themselves should one take them up on a game offer. Andy Roddick also helps with the interest level with gay men.

[VersAthlete23]

I don't like tennis. But I know why gay men gravitate to it.
It's like a God Damn strip show!
You can see all the intensity in the players, all the muscles, all the sweat. And can we say "Rafa"?
What fag isn't praying that one day he'll come out?
Mitcham interested me in diving.
I LOVE the gymnasts.

And the idiots who say this is a stupid question, it isn't. It's called GATHERING STATISTICAL DATA. I recommend you go back to staring at a wall because obviously MARKETING is not your forte.

[Aaron]

It seems that some of these guys don't get that you aren't saying that every gay guy loves tennis. You are saying that there is a large number of gay guys that do. I my self am not a big fan of tennis or any other sport for that fact other than Winter guard. If you don't know what that is look up winter guard international. That which is considered the sport of the arts is the greatest and definitely the most complex. Anyway back to the subject. Both of my roommates would say that it is the hot guys that play and I agree that there are a lot of them and they are fun to watch. I really believe that a big reason, especially the womens, is that it is one of the only sports other than ice skating where someone who is gay can be completely out and not get any flack about it. It is also probably the only sport where a transsexual male to female can be permitted to play on the womens tour.

[Alex]

Personally, I love tennis because I am a tennis player. I like to watch women's tennis because they tend to have longer rallies than men do, thus making it more fun to watch. I don't find Rafael Nadal that attractive but he's my favorite male tennis player because of his style of game.

[marc]

have you seen nadal's undies under his shorts? his arms? that's certainly more sexy than seeing Eli Manning's butt. I love all team sports, especially football and dont mind being called out on Tennis because the guys are young and sexy.
I would venture to guess that if Soccer was more popular in the US, there would be just as many gay guys watching Soccer as tennis. Look to European gay men as an example.

[njted]

Golf vs. Tennis?....easy, tennis is played in the city. Golf is played in the 'burbs and lot's of urban gay don't even have cars. Plus golf is played outdoors. often early in morning and takes 4-6 hours...and interrupts Sunday Brunch. Most gay guys are hurling their tired danced-out asses home at dawn when the hard-core golfers are dragging their clubs out to their cars.

Now if one or two of the cute, younger generation of PGA golfers came out...like say Camilo Villegas...that might change.

[R James]

I started getting hooked on tennis years ago - still a kid and not really sure that I was a 'mo yet - then it happened - I saw Iavn Lendle. I fell in L-O-V-E. I still love that man. Got to see him play years later in Toronto. Now that Pete Samprass has retired the "I serve - I win" play has ended. Mens tennis is starting to get back the excitement womens tennis has been generating for years.

In womens grand slams the ranking are pretty good indicater who will be in the quarters/semis. Mens WAS all over the place. It has now started to miror the womens side.

Samprass retiring was the best thing to happen to tennis - less robots more personality

[Robert]

Please I watch NCAA Basketball and NFL I do not watch tennis and neither do any of my friends!

[Wyatt1969again]

WHAT - The - FUCK?

How can you people be so stupid? (Please don’t answer Joe).

Dude asks a question and then you all freak the fuck out.

Whatever.

And what really blows me away? The fact that so many of your answers are antithetic to the embracing of just who you are (yes I am sure you will disagree).

Whatever happened to introspection? My lord.

Here is at least one legitimate answer - free from recrimination? Probably not - LOL.

Gay men are men first - or rather boys who grow into adulthood and along the way are like everyone else - to a degree. That is - they don’t see the world in the same way and we should all easily be ready to admit this. For instance - and yes I imagine it does happen at different times for all of us - we all (Gay Men) do come to see ourselves as “different”.

So then - how do we all go about developing our identities? Well like everyone else it’s usually a combination of personal experience as well as the transmission of culture by our mother or perhaps whomever the primary caregiver in our lives is.

We all know this. You are what you are born as and raised to be with exception to what you decide to be.
And therein lays the beauty of difference - even among ourselves.

As we develop - and this does start around 3 or 4 years of age - we begin to innately identify with roles which are normally ascribed to the opposite sex. This is called psychosexual development. While contradictions, which on the surface appear to be many, exist - they basically pan out in the end. And the result is: A Male who is sexually attracted to other Males.

Even during sexual latency we all continue to develop as humans and in doing so readily become more and more familiar with the world around us. We begin to “choose” not who and what we are - but how we would like to be seen. As an aside - this is where problems with self perception and esteem can crop up. Hence - internalized homophobia.

For those of us - the majority of us - who make it through this seemingly confusing period - we come out on top (no pun intended). That is - we have in fact successfully negotiated our way through adolescents as well as young adulthood.

Along the way however - we do learn to see the world for the place it really is - good or bad. Because we are in fact, again, different. We are vary unique from many, many others. While some of you might claim some brotherhood with your heterosexual counterparts in terms of an appreciation of sports - this doesn’t change the fact that you as well enjoy a nice big dick in your mouth - like uh - many women do.

This makes you different from the other guys - especially at super bowl parties LOL.

So Sporty McSporters - what’s my point?

Gay Men appreciate male athletes for the aesthetic of their physique, the value they place on competition and the very real desire they have to sleep with said athletes. More aggressive sports such as football tend to box out the opportunity for a Gay man to admire or feel comfortable within the scope of a predominantly heterosexual group - PAY ATTENTION - as qualified by perception.

Interestingly, Gay men are also some of the most hyper masculine males on the block (like the bareback bad boys who were called out by the military a few years ago because they also happened to be special forces officers - flayed thumbs and all). Hence - perhaps the scoffing lot of you all. My late Husband was one of these types - and really - while I talk it up quite a bit - he was the real Bad Ass - and admittedly - he didn’t talk nearly as much as I do LOL.

Anyway…

In a big way Tennis affords many if not all to simply admire the sport without all the clutter of social perception etc. and importantly, is not, perceived as a Gay sport. Thus it’s more inclusive because it doesn’t cast its players or spectators in the same sometimes inflexible manner as other sports do.

If you think about it - it isn’t surprising that Gay men are starting to play and seek legitimacy through - the pursuit of traditionally heterosexual sports such as RUGBY. Here we see a deliberate departure from the belief that only Straight men can be tough. Of course, we’ve known this all along. Now, collectively, we have decided to prove it. Thank God for this.

With regard to why it is Gay men appear to appreciate Women’s Tennis more…

First apply the above and then consider this. Gay men are, like heterosexual women, attracted to Men in general. This means they do, in part, think like women. Still our brains are different. Not like heterosexual Women and not like heterosexual Men. We, again, are different - Unique. On this continent - Native Americans were some of the first to identify and appreciate this. We are not one or the other but in many ways we are similar to both. No one else can claim this quality.

We identify with the universal struggle of women because like them, we are as well cast in a light which often attempts to minimize both our value as human beings as well as our very real and powerful contribution to society. Put another way - as John Lennon once said, “Woman Is The Nigger of The World”. We might not know what it really feels like to be a woman - but we can come pretty close to understanding what it feels like to be a Black American in many instances.

In some sense I imagine we also covet (2) the feminine ideal. Not in the sense that we seek to be a woman, rather in the sense that we might wish for a similar credential when also understanding the realized power women do have which has been hard fought for and not easily won.

And so - as we move through life - it should come as no surprise that many of our hero’s are in fact Female.

Curious - that we don’t readily see this.

[geg]

I know a lot of straight men who like tennis as well as gay men. I was on the tennis team in school and played for years and have watched for years. It's not a gay thing! And I don't know who was polled for football, but almost every gay man I know, me included, will watch a game when it is on in a bar. And most of them have football jerseys from their favorite teams (Including the home teams). So I think your whole thought on this is a bit skewed. Oh, and I like to watch curling too!

[Lulu]

This article got under my skin. Dear author, your work is filled with stupid stereotypes and generalizations. Give it a rest.

[servant_36]

cause there's no locker room in it. It's a sport where gays can be openly gay and not run into masculine gay-bashing by others, and that it is a sport that requires fitness finesse, but just power and grunt.

[jude]

Ho-hum to men's tennis although Rafael Nadal has made it more interesting lately when he became No.1 in the rankings. It's different with the ladies. Always look forward to the Williams sisters playing each other and how when at their best they just make their opponents look like ball girls. It's like Xena the warrior princess and her sidekick (what's her name again?). :)

[Ted]

I personally think tennis is a harder sport to understand then most other sports it has more intrecacies (sp?) then most...also tennis is not an easy sport to play its probably the harder of the sports especially to be professional in. I've played since i was 3 and I'm not even anywhere near professionals. I think its popular with gay guys because of the fact its a personal sport you rely on yourself and no one else. I dont think its because they think they're not atheletic i think its because its more challenging.

[iAS_18]

im not too sure about this... dont know many out gay guys... but i know that i lovee tennis and i do like womans tennis over mens (except for when Rafael Nadal is play.... he has the best ass in the world... probably the only guy i would rim lol... :$)

[JJ]

Muscles, intensity, sweats, shorts, and when a player wipes off his sweat with his shirt...mm

[tencan]

I don't think the writer's premise is insulting.. from my unscientific observations, this is totally true. The majority of my gay friends play tennis. Personally though, I've played team and individual sports my whole life, and i picked up tennis before i embraced my gay consciousness. I still play tennis and volleyball, and many of the guys in my volleyball league play tennis. I really don't think it's a drama or sexual thing though. Individuality a lil bit, but that's based on very little. Good question though...

[tallbeartx]

Here are just two of the many reasons I love tennis:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512283@N00/762518278/

http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/1/en/2008news/verdasco_cosmo.asp

[tallbeartx]

The Fernando Verdasco link didn't come through so well, so here it is againis a different one (same picture):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24957237@N04/2595872600/

[Joe]

I play tennis and really enjoy it. Like you said...it's more of an individual sport and it gets your adrenaline going...at least it does me...but i'm a very aggressive player. There are also some great gay icons in tennis. That's where I got my urge to play the game. But gay people do love football as well...just sit and watch a game with me. And living in LSU Tiger country....no tennis match would be shown in the bar unless it's LSU!! Geaux Tigers!

[Stephan]

Hmm. I prefer cycling and track and field.

[jta]

I do fell for Roger Federer 8) Why you in usa are so hang up with Nadal.... Love tennis wether it`s women or man, could watch hours from TV....and more

[JesperToo]

"Hitting a 95-MPH baseball thrown at you is the most difficult skill in all of sports."

Where did you come up with this wonderful nugget of bullshit?

Or this one?

"Guys who weren't good enough, or confident enough, to make their high school teams in the more traditional sports (baseball, football, basketball) instead turned to tennis or swimming or volleyball."

Every sport is different. People are attracted to different sports for various reasons, but often because of their upbringing, body type or where they have talent.

To me, you may have just as well written an article starting with the question, "Why do black guys seem to prefer basketball?" Stupid.

~Jesper

P.S. The "rules" of football aren't complicated. Some people just don't care to learn them because they aren't interested. Don't be offended; everyone doesn't have to like your "far more popular" sport.

[Markus]

I never knew tennis was a "gay thing" and dont think it is. hmmm.

[Footballbuff]

I prefer to watch 'buttball' aka American football. Those guys have the hottest asses in sports along with bulging baskets. If I were to play football, it'd either be the tight end, wide receiver or center position (who wouldn't want a quarterbacks hands on your nuts?

[Ron]

I love watching tennis. ATP tour, the slams and Roland Garros Tournament. Not much into womens tennis because the games don't have that same level of velocity as mens tennis unless it's Serena Williams. I believe one major thing about this game that draws gay men is that we tend to find things of interest that appear to be less manual-labor intensive. Football too rugged. Tennis not so much (as it appears). Another aspect is that gay people tend to want to be accountable only for themselves. Largely because we have dealt with our identities alone. We have a sense of "one-ness" and feel that tennis provides that level of comfort zone.

[citywriter]

Tennis has always been a sport connected to the upwardly mobile set. It's not considered to be a working-class sport. (Though I have always loved tennis and come from a very poor background.) Therefore, it is very popular with more upscale urban gays, just as it is very popular with upscale straights. Because upscale gays are the ones who until recently got most of the media attention (working class gays are only now beginning to have a voice in media), it makes it seem as though more gays like tennis. I think the connection to tennis is a class thing and not connected to sexual orientation.

[enjoygame]

Michael Jackson Memorial
Michael Jackson Memorial

[iiovic]

For me, it's, first of all, the intelligence required to play tennis. You really need to put your brains into the game, if you want to come out as a winner in a match. And there has been some research done regarding intelligence of straight and gay men (do some googleing) that has shown gay men score somewhat better on IQ tests.

Secondly, I like watching matches of both men's and women's tours. Of course, as a gay guy, I can't deny I make assessments of male players as men too and have my likes and dislikes. But, I must point out I equally look forward to watching matches of either tour.

One other thing that maybe soothes better to gay guys is the theatrical ambience on the stands compared to a somewhat, let's say, "wilder" atmosphere when sports like soccer are concerned. There are incidents at tennis courts, but very rare ones and usually not that serious as they can be on a soccer match (or before/after one).

And I take a majority of us are pacifists (whatever the reasons for that - cowardice, simple inability to hurt other people etc.). I can say I'm a coward, observed from general male standpoint, but given that I'm not a regular man as no one of us is (i.e. I have a more pronounced feminine side than str8 men do) I can consider it simply to be an instinctive trait that most women have, which is to seek protection in case of a fight or other critical situation, and not to get involved into it. To conclude this section, I believe pacifism (no matter where it comes from) guides us to choose places that don't pose a threat to our lives and our well-being. I wouldn't dare to claim this, but I bet a number of gay guys that have gone to high-risk games as spectators is small.

The next point is scoring. I prefer tennis to soccer, basketball to soccer, volleyball to soccer. Why? Because there's more actual scoring. You can spend time watching a game of soccer without seeing any of the teams scoring a goal. I think women's reasons are similar, if not the same as mine. Even though I find soccer players to be among the sexiest of all sportsmen (legs have something to do with it LOL) I generally don't like watching soccer, not even for the sake of my sexual thoughts (it's easier to browse for the photos of players).

All in all, there are differences in opinions probably because everyone of us inherited various quantities of female-orienting and male-orienting genes. Some gay guys are virtually women with penises, some are butch, alpha-male types (with the only "mistake" (this is from a heterosexual point of view, don't mind me LOL) of being gay), and those in the middle (like me) maybe look more like men but their brains function more like women's do. And I think, if asked, women would also opt for tennis or volleyball over other sports.

[Jim]

You're an idiot. I'm not getting "bent" on the guy stereotypes you blatantly assumed in your comment-- but for the record, please, I hope you were just going for comments. What offends me is your assumption that guys play tennis because they couldn't do any other sport. How about the fact that it's a great, dynamic sport that requires precision, finesses, power, athleticism and intelligence? I was a star athlete in baseball and track, played varsity football (not a star admittedly) and CHOSE to play tennis and was top of the game. Most guys on my high school tennis team chose NOT to play baseball because the team was not good and the coach was an ass. Most of us could have started on the varsity baseball team and chose the better sport. And as far as I know, I was the only gay one on the team. And, for the record, Volleyball is not easy either and I challenge any star basketball player to play volleyball and be a top player.