GLTA World Tour

🎾 PLAYER STORIES | 35 YEARS OF GLTA

Every player has a story. Every story is part of our history.

Today, we are proud to introduce Jiří Rajl 🇨🇿 — a player, Prague Friendly Tennis Open tournament director , and passionate member of the GLTA family.

From discovering tennis after years of volleyball, to unforgettable matches, lifelong friendships, and the belief that sport has the power to connect people across the world, Jiří’s journey reminds us what GLTA is truly about.

As we celebrate 35 Years of GLTA, we’re also celebrating the people who have shaped our community—on and off the court.

Swipe through to discover Jiří’s story. ❤️🎾

35 Years. 35 Stories.

On International Non-Binary People’s Day, the GLTA celebrates every player who brings their authentic self to the court. 💛🤍💜🖤

​Tennis is at its best when everyone has a place to play, compete, and belong. We are continuously proud of our non-binary athletes, organizers, and fans who enrich our global community every single day.
​We are committed to evolving, listening, and ensuring our tournaments remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for all gender identities.

​Today and every day, we smash barriers and celebrate you. 🏆✨
​
​

Every serve. Every story. Every one. 🏳️‍🌈✨
Thirty-five years ago, a vision was born: to create a global tennis tour where the LGBTQIA+ community could play, connect, and thrive in a safe, celebratory, and stigma-free space.
From our very first tournament in San Diego in 1991 to over 90 tournaments across six continents today, our family has grown to 7,000+ active athletes and 12,000+ alumni.
In a special anniversary address, GLTA President and CEO Matt Feinberg looks back at our incredible legacy, reinforces our unwavering commitment to true inclusion (unequivocally including our transgender players), and shares exciting new initiatives—including our Player Stories Project and upcoming merch store!
Thank you to our founders, volunteers, directors, and most importantly, our players, for writing this beautiful history. The best chapters are still to come.

Let us know in the comments: What was your very first GLTA tournament? 👇

Presidents Address: GLTA Celebrates 35 Years GLTA Celebrates 35 Years. 7,000+ players. 90+ tournaments. One global family. Serving pride, and friendship around the world since 1991.

🎉35 YEARS OF GLTA🎉

Today, we are proud to unveil the official logo celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the GLTA World Tour.

For 35 years, GLTA has been more than tennis. It has been a global community built on friendship, inclusion, diversity, and unforgettable memories.

This logo marks the beginning of a special anniversary celebration that will take place till the end of 2026.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories, special interviews, community projects, and tributes to the people who have helped shape GLTA over the past three and a half decades.

This is more than a celebration of our history.

It’s a celebration of everyone who has been part of the journey—and an invitation to help shape the future.

And now we’d love to hear from you.

💬 Share your favorite GLTA memory in the comments.

❤️ Tag someone who has inspired you or made your GLTA journey special.

👏 Tell us about a Tournament Director, volunteer, or community member who deserves to be recognized.

📩 Have an old photo, a special story, or an unforgettable memory? Send us a direct message—we’d love to include your memories as part of our anniversary celebration.

Because after 35 years, the greatest story of GLTA is the people who make it what it is.

Stay tuned…

GLTA World Tour
35 Years
July 1991 – July 2026

Celebrating Our Past. Inspiring Our Future. 🎾🌍

🌈 Happy Pride from the GLTA! 🏳️‍🌈
​We are celebrating our incredible global tennis family, our history, and the vibrant community we build together every single day—both on and off the court. 🎾✨
​A massive shoutout to the huge contingent of GLTA players, coaches, and friends who are currently competing and representing our community at the Gay Games right now! We are sending you so much love and energy—keep smashing those aces and making us proud! 🏆❤️
​No matter where you are celebrating—whether you're on the world stage, playing a local tournament, or just starting out—our message remains the same: Everyone is welcome here.
​At the GLTA, inclusion is our baseline. We are proud to be a space where you can always bring your 100% authentic self to the court.
​Happy Pride, everyone! Let’s keep opening the gates wide and playing with pride all year long. 🙌
​

Happy Pride from the GLTA Happy Pride from the GLTA: Celebrating Community, Inclusion, and Global Play!

🎾 From the Courts to the Screen! 🎬

For so many of us, joining a q***r tennis league is about much more than just the sport—it's about finding a chosen family and a place to truly belong.

That unique magic is the driving force behind Sissies, an upcoming short film by independent filmmaker and fellow GLTA player Alon Borten. Directly inspired by his own experiences playing in Los Angeles with OutLoud Sports and Los Angeles Tennis Association, the film explores identity, community, and the sanctuary of the court.

The award-winning script is already gaining major traction, and Alon has launched a Kickstarter campaign running through July 2nd to bring this authentic story to life.

We love seeing the incredible creative talents of our global player community off the court! Head over to glta.net to read the full article about Alon's journey, learn more about the film, and see how you can support the project.

***rCinema

Sissies: A Film Inspired by GLTA and Local Q***r Leagues The film 'Sissies' explores LGBTQ+ themes within the world of tennis, highlighting identity, inclusion, and personal expression in a traditionally competitive sport.