“I love you very much”: Brazilian ATP Star becomes the first active male tennis player to come out as gay
ATP
World No.
367 Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva shared an Instagram post celebrating his
anniversary with his partner. The Brazilian becomes the first active male
tennis player to publicly come out as gay.
In the
world of men's tennis, there have been no players who have come out as
gay until now, unlike their female counterparts, with pioneers like
Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, or current players like Daria
Kasatkina, have paved the way.
Reis Da Silva makes history as the first openly gay male tennis player
Homosexuality
in sports remains a rarely discussed topic, especially in men’s tennis, where
no active player has publicly come out. The few historical cases include Brian
Vahaly, a former World No. 57 who came out as gay after retiring, and German
player Gottfried von Cramm, a two-time French Open champion. Von Cramm faced
legal accusations and imprisonment for his sexuality and reportedly financed
the escape of his partner, Jewish musician Manasse Herbst, to Palestine in the
1930s.
The women’s
game tells a different story. Legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova
have long advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, creating a path for others like Daria
Kasatkina, Nadia Podoroska, and Belgian partners Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet
Minnen to openly share their stories.
This time,
it was Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva who set a milestone by sharing his truth. The
24-year-old Brazilian posted a carousel of photos with his partner, writing, “Happy
anniversary, happy life, I love you very much.” The post received positive
comments from fellow Brazilian players, including Thiago Monteiro, Pedro
Boscardin, and Gustavo Heide.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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