She may be best remembered for her 1999 showing at the Australian Open. As an unseeded 19-year-old, Mauresmo made it to the finals of the tournament before losing to Martina Hingis. During the tournament she came out to the international media after being pestered with questions about whether she had a boyfriend and about the woman who was constantly by her side. In response she stated simply, “You can say she’s my girlfriend. You can write about her. I don’t want to hide Sylvie. I love her.” For that statement she will always have the love and respect of lesbians everywhere. - Lucy Hallowell
