Brazilian tennis star João Lucas Reis da Silva is set to break new ground once again as he takes on the qualifying rounds of the 2026 Australian Open.
The 25-year-old made headlines in late 2024 when he publicly came out as gay, sharing a heartwarming photo with his partner, Gui Sampaio Ricardo, in celebration of Gui’s birthday. That announcement marked a significant milestone in tennis, as Silva became the first openly gay male professional to compete in a Grand Slam tournament.
Now, Silva is poised to make further history in Melbourne by becoming the first openly gay man to play in the Australian Open qualifiers.
At the time of his coming out, Silva was ranked outside the world’s Top 400. However, he has since surged more than 200 places, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of No. 187. His upward momentum was boosted by a major win in June 2025, when he claimed his first ATP Challenger title in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
To enter the main draw of the Australian Open, Silva must win three qualifying matches. Regardless of the outcome, even a first-round exit guarantees him a minimum prize of approximately A$40,500 (£20.2k / US$27k).
Silva’s visibility in the sport is proving influential. Tony Hagen, host of the Gay Tennis Podcast, told QNews in August 2025:
“It marks a significant step towards greater LGBTQIA+ representation and acceptance. 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.”
Silva’s courage has already inspired others in the tennis world to be open about their identity. In December 2025, Swiss player Mika Brunold also came out via Instagram, sharing:
“I decided to take a step for myself, but also because I think it’s not talked about enough in sports.”
He added, “In an ideal world, no one would need to come out at all.”
As Silva steps onto the courts in Melbourne, he does so not just as a competitor but as a trailblazer continuing to shift the landscape of professional sport.
