Australian Football player Jason Akermanis, who's always been known for his outspokenness, has penned an article wondering why there aren't more openly gay players.

"Coming out" for a player has many potential reactions. Some good, some bad. On the field, players are called "poofters", or words to that effect, all the time.

You could imagine what might happen if there actually was one. I am sure the vilification rules would come into play.

What about the good things that might happen? The person could be the new pin-up boy and the opportunities for business could be massive. And I mean massive."

Akermanis actually did play with an openly gay teammate, and he talks about the reaction it received:

"I also remember playing with a guy at my old club, Mayne, in Brisbane. He was tough, and one of the nicest guys on the team. His partner would come and sit and watch him play.

The guys never treated him any differently - until it was shower time. I was in there after one match and it was full of guys talking and carrying on.

Anyway, I turned around to see everyone grabbing their towels and heading out of the shower area. Then I realised who had walked in. The guy in question laughed and said it happened all the time."

Tennis player Francisco Rodriguez

So why aren't there more openly gay male athletes? A gay player in a team sport (like the AFL) would certainly have a rough time of it, but what about a singular sport, like tennis? There have been rumours about certain players, but unlike their female counterparts, no high profile male player has ever come out.

Last month, Out.com ran a coming-out interview with Francisco Rodriguez, a player from Paraguay who had some interesting things to say about being gay in professional tennis.

Read about Francisco's experiences, and learn why one tennis commentator believes there should be a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the locker room, after the break.