Having pulled off one of the greatest wins of her career a year ago at Wimbledon – storming past defending champion Garbine Muguruza to reach the third round – Alison Van Uytvanck headed straight for her partner. Beaming after the victory, they shared a kiss in front of the delighted Court 2 spectators as the sun started to set on a warm evening in south-west London. It was an image that would quickly be seen across the world, as Van Uytvanck and her girlfriend Greet Minnen defied the conventions of a still stuffy sport to openly express their love. Not that making a point about their sexuality was in any way what motivated the embrace. “It was pure instinct. I just saw Greet and wanted to hug her,” Van Uytvanck, the world No. 52 from Belgium, told the Telegraph.