Following her surprising win against defending Wimbledon champ Garbiñe Muguruza, Alison Van Uytvanck spoke to reporters about her sexuality and her relationship with fellow tennis player Greet Minnen. Van Uytvanck said, “We just decided to not make it [their relationship] personal and not keep it for ourselves. I’m happy. I just feel like we don’t have to be ashamed of this, and that’s why I also want to be free.”

The Belgian player continued, “I’m not sick. I don’t have a disease. But I just feel like it’s good that I could come out as a gay person.” Van Uytvanck is one of only three openly gay players on the women’s tour. Sweden’s Johanna Larsson and Richel van Hogenkamp of the Netherlands are the other two.

Van Uytvanck beat Muguruza, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, in the round of 64 at Wimbledon. The result stunned watchers as Van Uytvanck is currently unseeded while Muguruza is the No. 3 seed. This is only the second time Van Uytvanck has won two professional matches back to back. Moving forward into the round of 32 will be her first time past the second round at Wimbledon and the second in a Grand Slam tournament. 

Next on the books is a match with 28th seed Anett Kontaveit from Estonia. Sure to be cheering her on will be partner Minnen. Van Uytvanck continued, “Soon we are going to live together. We do feel super happy together and that’s what we will show to the world”. She continued, “We are very open in our relationship and my parents are proud about it. That support made us feel good.”

Although Van Uytvanck suffered bullying growing up, she is now active in anti-bullying campaigns, speaking to children about her experiences. “ Nobody has to justify why they are lesbian or gay,” she says,”it is not a disease.”