João Lucas Reis da Silva makes history as first openly gay man to compete in Grand Slam tennis
– 2 min read
Brazilian player João Lucas Reis da Silva has become the first openly gay male athlete to compete in a Grand Slam event. The 25-year-old stepped onto the court at the US Open qualifying rounds in New York, marking a historic breakthrough in a sport where openly gay male players have been virtually absent.
Reis da Silva’s journey to this milestone began in December 2024, when he publicly came out via Instagram, sharing a heartfelt birthday message to his partner, actor and model Gui Sampaio Ricardo. “Happy birthday. Happy life. I love you so much,” he wrote, alongside photos of the couple.
The post was met with widespread support from fans and fellow athletes, including Brazilian tennis star Thiago Monteiro.
Speaking about the moment in an interview, Reis da Silva said, “I didn’t think about it… I just wanted to post a picture with him. It was so normal for me that I didn’t think about it”.
His openness has since been credited with helping him feel more relaxed and confident both on and off the court.
Reis da Silva has enjoyed a steady rise in the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 230 in August 2025. He also claimed his first ATP Challenger doubles title in Santiago in 2023.
Despite a first-round loss to Belgium’s Alexander Blockx at the US Open qualifiers, his presence at the tournament has been hailed as a significant step forward for inclusivity in men’s tennis.
Until now, the ATP Tour had never featured an openly gay active male player. Former American pro Brian Vahaly came out in 2017, but only after retiring from the sport. Reis da Silva’s visibility as an active competitor is being celebrated as a turning point, with hopes that it will inspire others to embrace their identities without fear.
“I’m really happy that people respect me, that people look at me, admire me maybe,” Reis da Silva said. “When I tried to love myself, that was something different. It changed my life, changed everything - the relationship with my parents, with my coaches."
