The first openly gay man to compete in an ATP main draw
In short: João Lucas Reis da Silva's journey to the top of Brazilian tennis is defined by more than just his backhand. By publicly sharing his identity in 2024, he broke a significant barrier in professional sports, becoming a pioneer for visibility in the ATP circuit.
Reis da Silva's path to professional tennis began in Recife, Pernambuco, where he first picked up a racket at age three. Inspired by his older brother, he moved to São Paulo at age 13 to pursue elite training for seven years before eventually settling in Rio de Janeiro. His early career was marked by consistent performance on the ITF junior circuit, where he maintained a 104–68 singles win-loss record and reached a combined ranking of No. 30 by early 2018.
The transition to the professional ranks was not without significant hurdles. After a period of struggle with injuries, Reis da Silva secured his first tournament win in four years in December 2024 by winning the Procopio Cup in São Paulo. This victory was a pivotal turning point, earning him a spot in the 2025 Rio Open qualifying rounds and signaling a resurgence in his competitive form. He has since reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 187 as of November 2025.
Beyond the scoreboard, Reis da Silva made history in December 2024 by publicly coming out as gay, five years after first sharing his identity with family and friends. By taking this step, he became the initial active male tennis professional to announce his gay identity in a public manner. His courage has had a tangible impact on his personal life; he noted that accepting his identity improved his relationships with his parents, coaches, and his partner, Brazilian actor and model Gui Sampaio Ricardo. His status was bolstered in 2026 when he entered an ATP match main draw at the Rio Open as the initial man to do so openly.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: João Lucas Reis da Silva
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