Lesbian Couple Is First Same-Sex Couple to Play Doubles at Wimbledon

While queer women like Megan Rapinoe were making a splash at the World Cup this weekend, a lesbian couple made history at Wimbledon becoming the first couple to play doubles together in a grand slam tournament.

Belgian tennis players Alison van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen have been a couple for three years. And while they were in the news at last year's Wimbledon when Uytvanck kissed Minnen after winning a match against reigning champion Garbine Muguruza, this year they became the first same-sex couple to play doubles together at a major tennis tournament.

Uytvanck and Minnen won their match over British players Katie Swann and Freya Christie last week before losing in their second round to Chinese pair Chan Hao-ching and Latisha Chan, according to Time.

Van Uytvanck, 25, Instagrammed about their historic matches on Friday.

Following their win against the British players, van Uytvanck and Minnen spoke out on behalf of gay male players, who've generally had a harder time being out in the sport.

"We [would like to] see more people coming forward and saying 'It's OK.' I think people would have more confidence," van Uytvanck said, according to The Guardian. "That would be something good, men would appreciate that. More people would come out -- it would help to make it easier."

While Minnen, 21, said that reaction to the relationship between her and van Uytvanck has been "more positive than negative," they are still careful when playing in areas that aren't as accepting of LGBTQ people.

"For sure, we are not going to hold hands if we are in Egypt or somewhere," Minnen said.