Gay tennis
Where are the Homosexual Men in Tennis?
While many tour players may lend an encouraging word and the ATP has support programs, one thing neither can necessarily provide is an actively playing — or even actively on tour — mentor. As far as the records book signal, only two openly gay men hold played at an elite level, both before World War II, according to the book, A People’s History of Tennis by correspondent David Berry. The first, Gottfried (Baron) von Cramm, a German aristocrat noted for his gentlemanly conduct and equitable play, won the 1934 and 1936 French Open before the German government arrested him in 1938 for having a gay affair with a Jewish actor. He was jailed for six months before marrying a heiress, facing down a bar from Wimbledon after the incident, organism conscripted by the German Army and unwillingly fighting in World War II.
The second, Bill Tilden, an American, won 14 Major singles titles, including 10 Grand Slams,before he was arrested in November 1946 on Sunset Boulevard by the Beverly Hills police for having sex with an underage male. Tilden was sentenced to a year in prison, served seven months and received five-year parole conditions so strict that they virtu
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- Join one of our USTA Teams - GLTF has a drawn-out standing relationship with USTA and possess leagues for:
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Adult 18+ Grown-up 55+
Summer:
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Fall:
Combo Doubles
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GLTF Social & Educational Tennis
Upcoming events
- America/Los_Angeles
Doubles Tactic Clinic (3.0 & 3.5 players), Starting July 12th - August 2nd
SFSU Tennis Courts
Sat, July 12, 2025 1:00 PM
- America/Los_Angeles
GLTF / SF Tsunami / NAGVA - Social Hour
Rikki's Lock, SF, California
Fri, August 08, 2025 6:00 PM
- America/Los_Angeles
Social Round Robin Pickleball at the HUB in Alameda
HUB Sports Club - 800 W Tower Ave, Alameda,
Sun, August 10, 2025 3:00 PM
- America/Los_Angeles
TENNISPALOOZA 2025
Goldman Tennis Center (Golden Gate Park)
Sun, November 16, 2025 3:00 PM
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SF/East Bay Play - Better Your Game
- Play the GLTA Circuit - Our members commute to other cities and play in GLTA tourn
Upcoming Events
☀️ 2025 MTG Summer Ladders
Friday, April 25, 2025 12:00 AM•Anywhere
WNBA NY Liberty Night!
Friday, July 25, 2025 7:30 PM•Barclays Center
3.0-3.75 [Intermediate] Drill and Play (Roosevelt Island - Indoors)
Saturday, July 26, 2025 6:00 PM•Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY
Manhattan Beginners' Tennis Party (1.0 - 2.5)
Saturday, August 02, 2025 7:00 PM•Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY
3.0-3.75 [Intermediate] Drill and Perform (Roosevelt Island - Indoors)
Sunday, August 03, 2025 5:00 PM•Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, 281 Main Road, Roosevelt Island, NY
4.0-4.5 [Advanced] Drill and Play (Roosevelt Island - Indoors)
Saturday, August 09, 2025 6:00 PM•Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY
TOTAL TENNIS - Summer 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025 3:30 PM•Saugerties, New York
Provincetown Tournament
Saturday, September 06, 2025 2:00 PM•Provincetown
Get involved and network with
the LGBT tennis community!
CTA runs smoothly thanks to its many volunteers. Click here to learn how you can help!The CTA Championships occur in late Spring each year, and contain a singles and a doubles tournament.
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