Tennis history made as two openly gay male players reach a landmark final

Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 04:30

Mika Brunold and Joao Lucas Reis da Silva have made tennis history after reaching the final of the Tulln Challenger in Austria. Their meeting on Sunday will be the first known final between two openly gay male professional tennis players, bringing together the only two active players in men's professional tennis who have publicly come out.

Brunold defeated Vitaliy Sachko 6-4, 6-2 in Saturday's semifinal, while Reis da Silva followed with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Alex Barrena. Both players have earned their place in the final on court, with a Challenger title and valuable ranking points now at stake.

The significance of the match, however, goes beyond the tournament itself. Reis da Silva became the first active male professional tennis player to publicly come out when he shared his sexuality in December 2024.

Almost a year later, Brunold followed, becoming the second and speaking openly about the pressure he had felt to remain quiet.

From coming out to a historic final

Brunold, 21, announced his sexuality in December 2025 after reflecting on what it meant to be a professional athlete while keeping an important part of his identity private. The Swiss player explained that being comfortable with himself had become more important than remaining silent.

“As a professional tennis player, I've spent countless hours working on my game, my body, and my mindset. Through all of this, one of the most important things I've learned is that success on the court isn't just about physical skill – it's about discovering your personality and staying true to yourself.”

He then made his announcement directly. “That's why I feel it's time for me to open up and share with you that I'm gay.”

Mika Brunold, the second openly gay active ATP player.

Reis da Silva had already taken that step a year earlier. The Brazilian publicly came out in December 2024 and has continued his career on the Challenger circuit. Earlier in 2026, he became the first openly gay man to compete in an ATP 500 main draw when he played at the Rio Open.

Now the two players have arrived at the same final. Brunold reached the championship match after coming through qualifying and defeating Filip Misolic, Gustavo Heide and Sachko, while Reis da Silva advanced through the draw before beating Barrena in the semifinals.

🎾🏳️🌈 BIG GAY TENNIS NEWS 🏳️🌈🎾

For the time ever, two out gay male pro players will play each other. Joao Lucas Reis da Silva will play Mika Brunold in the final of the Tulln Challenger tomorrow! Let’s goooo 🙌🏽🪩🎾🏳️🌈 https://t.co/jwjqCakAJK pic.twitter.com/rflzZTDQsF
— The Gay Tennis Pod (@thegaytennispod) September 12, 2026

A normal tennis final with historic significance

The sporting stakes on Sunday are straightforward. The winner will claim the Tulln Challenger title and important ranking points, with both players continuing their attempts to climb higher in professional tennis.

But the circumstances make the match unlike any known men's professional final before it. Neither player needs to be treated differently because of the significance attached to their sexuality. They have reached the final by winning tennis matches, and the title will be decided in exactly the same way as any other Challenger final.

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At the same time, their meeting highlights how rare openly gay male professionals have been in men's tennis. Brunold and Reis da Silva have both spoken about the decision to come out, but they have continued their careers without making their sexuality the sole definition of who they are as players.

On Sunday, they will simply meet on opposite sides of the net with a professional title at stake. But for men's tennis, the Tulln final represents a landmark moment: two openly gay male professionals competing against each other for a championship.

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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