Tennis star Joao Lucas Reis da Silva reveals response to making history by coming out as gay
- Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, number 367 in the world, wrote tennis history last week
Tennis player Joao Lucas Reis da Silva has revealed that he received a “99.9 percent positive” response to his coming out as gay last week.
Reis da Silva, the first openly gay active male tennis professional, revealed his sexuality when he wished his friend a happy birthday on Instagram.
And in his first interview since making tennis history, the Brazilian said The Athletics that he is happy with the response to the announcement.
“I’m very happy that people respect me, that people look at me, maybe admire me,” he said.
“I didn’t think about it… I just wanted to post a picture with him,” he added to his post, in which he wrote “I love you so much” to his partner.
Reis da Silva, who came out to his family and friends five years ago, also told The Athletic that Brazilian musician Lulu Santos had sent him a private message of support.
Joao Lucas Reis da Silva (left) came out as gay and wished his friend a happy birthday
The Brazilian player is ranked 401st in the world in doubles and 367th in singles
“It was a crazy week, but in the end it was perfect,” he said.
Additionally, Thiago Monteiro – the No. 1 Brazilian tennis player – left a heart emoji in the comments. And Diego Hypolito, a Rio Games silver medalist in gymnastics who is also gay, liked the post.
Reis da Silva’s announcement comes seven years after former world number 57 Brian Vahaly came out as gay.
That announcement emerged ten years after the American ended his career.
Vahaly has previously spoken about hearing homophobic comments while on tour.
“I heard homophobic comments all the time in the locker room, to my face, behind my back,” he said told De Telegraaf in 2018. ‘That was part of the culture.’
Reis da Silva, 24, is in a relationship with Gui Sampaio Ricardo, a Brazilian actor and model
Reis da Silva, the world No. 367 after winning the Procopio Cup earlier this month, has also been heard using the same kind of language.
“In the locker rooms and at tournaments I heard things that bothered me,” he said.
“But when I started telling everyone I’m gay and these people knew, they stopped saying these things.
“It’s like if they have someone around them who’s gay, they respect them more. They stop making stupid comments,” Reis da Silva said.
He has never competed in a Grand Slam, but hopes to play in qualifying for the French Open next year.