Brazilian tennis player João Lucas Reis da Silva has written his name into the history books, becoming the first openly gay man known to compete in a Grand Slam tournament.
The 24-year-old took to the court in New York this week for the US Open qualifying rounds, where he faced Belgium’s Alexander Blockx. Although he lost 6–2, 6–1 in the opening round, the moment was far bigger than the scoreline.
Tony Hagen from the Gay Tennis Podcast said the significance of Reis da Silva’s debut could not be overstated.
“It marks a significant step towards greater LGBTQIA+ representation and acceptance,” he told QNews. “In men’s tennis, openly gay athletes have been extremely rare. His participation helps break down stigma and pushes the sport toward greater inclusivity and diversity.”
Visibility on the court
Reis da Silva publicly came out in December 2024, emphasising the importance of visibility in a sport long short on openly LGBTQ+ male athletes.
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I think it’s unlikely that I’m the only gay player on the tour,” he said earlier this year.
He added that coming out shifted the way people treated him.
“When I started to tell everyone that I’m gay, they stopped saying these things. It’s like when they have someone close to them who is gay, they respect them more and stop saying those shitty comments.”
While other male players, like former pro Brian Vahaly, have come out post-retirement, Reis da Silva is the first to do so while actively competing. Vahaly, now USTA President, reflected on how much this visibility matters.
“When I was playing, there was no one I could look up to who was out. Now, I want to be that person for the next generation of athletes.”
Breakthrough year on tour
Since coming out, Reis da Silva has enjoyed his strongest season yet, crediting authenticity with boosting his performance.
In 2025, he:
- Claimed his first ATP Challenger title in Santa Fe during Pride Month.
- Climbed nearly 200 ranking places to a career high of World No.230.
- Enjoyed a 13-match winning streak between May and June.
He also became the first openly gay man to compete in both an ATP Tour event (qualifying in Rio de Janeiro) and a Grand Slam (US Open).
Reflecting on the impact of coming out, he 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.”
Growing fan base
Reis da Silva’s story has captured global attention, with a surge in fan support since his announcement.
“He had about 5,000 followers on Instagram before he came out publicly. There was a massive increase after, and he now has over 32,000,” Hagen noted. “We’ve received countless messages saying, ‘We’re following his career now’ or ‘We’re watching his matches.’”
What’s next?
Despite his early exit in New York, Reis da Silva’s trajectory suggests more milestones to come. With his ranking climbing and visibility growing, he remains poised to inspire both fans and fellow athletes—proving that authenticity on and off the court can be a game-changer.
“How we change things,” he said, “is by being ourselves—on and off the court.”
