Athlete Ally Honors Mardy Fish’s Legacy of Allyship
Today ATP tennis player Mardy Fish retires from professional tennis, and Athlete Ally honors and highlights his strong legacy of allyship on behalf of others.
Fish is a Pro Ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that educates and activates athletic communities to exercise their leadership to champion lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality.
Statement from James Blake, ATP Tennis Player and Athlete Ally Pro Ambassador
“Mardy Fish has been my closest friend on tour for more than a decade. His humor and compassion make him a joy to be around. His compassion for others including the LGBT community and those dealing with anxiety or mental health issues has been amazing. While dealing with his own anxiety, he wants to help others in the same situation or worse. Knowing what is good and right about sports, he preaches inclusion. That resonates in a locker room when it is coming from a player that has accomplished so much. I wish Mardy the best in retirement and he has made a positive impact on the game he leaves behind.”
Statement from Rennae Stubbs, WTA Player and Athlete Ally Advisory Board Member
“As my good friend Mardy Fish announces his retirement, I wish him all the best, and I want to highlight his impact on the game of tennis. Through our work together at Athlete Ally, Mardy has truly demonstrated what good sportsmanship is: treating everyone with respect, including LGBT players, fans, and everyone he meets. His strong vocal support of LGBT people is just the message that young athletes need to hear. Mardy’s unwavering commitment to inclusion has certainly changed the game of tennis, for the better.”
Statement from Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director, Athlete Ally
“Mardy Fish was one of Athlete Ally’s first Professional Ambassadors from the world of men’s tennis, and his leadership on LGBT issues has been spot on from the start. He truly embodies what it means to be an ally, to exercise good sportsmanship, and to stand up for inclusion for everyone. Whether he is standing up for LGBT inclusion in sport, or speaking out about mental health concerns, Mardy always uses his platform to amplify important messages that make a difference for tennis players and fans alike.”
Information on Mardy Fish and Athlete Ally:
Mardy Fish Pro Ambassador Profile: https://www.athleteally.org/allies/mardy-fish/
Mardy Fish Joins Athlete Ally: http://www.athleteally.org/news/andy-roddick-mardy-fish-join-athlete-ally-first-male-tennis-players-take-stand-against-homophobia/
Athlete Ally’s mission is to educate and activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports and to exercise their leadership to champion LGBT equality. Founded in 2012, Athlete Ally has worked with the NBA, WNBA, and MLB on matters of respect and inclusion; led the Principle 6 campaign that convinced the International Olympic Committee to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination clause of the Olympic Charter; and counts more than 130 college, professional, and Olympic athletes among its dedicated and active Ambassadors. www.athleteally.org