The first tennis player to come out of the closet confesses: "I don't want to constantly talk about being gay"

Carlos Navarro | 17 Dec 2024 | 11.18

Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, champion of the Procopio Cup. Source: UOL

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Just over a week ago, Joao Lucas Reis da Silva made headlines in the tennis world. No, we are not talking about a new Grand Slam or Masters 1000 champion, but the reason for his sudden notoriety goes beyond sports. At 24 years old, he seeks to break down barriers and taboos, normalize what should already be considered normal, and perhaps pave the way for many others to walk confidently. The Brazilian became the first player on the circuit to publicly acknowledge his homosexuality, sparking a wave of positive messages and an outpouring of support.

He did it in the most natural way possible, with a social media post publicly congratulating his partner, the Brazilian actor Gui Sampaio. This spontaneity did not go unnoticed by many. "I thought: 'Wow, it's my boyfriend's birthday. Congratulations, I love you'. And suddenly, bam! It was so normal for me that I didn't even think about it," recalls Joao in an interview with The Athletic where he discussed his journey to this point.

AT THE PEAK OF HIS CAREER

Personal happiness, the freedom after overcoming such a barrier... these are aspects that manifest in the Brazilian's tennis, currently experiencing the peak of his career. He recently reached the semifinals of the Temuco Challenger in Chile, and just a few days ago, he won the Procopio Cup, a championship that grants the winner an invitation to the qualifying rounds of the ATP Rio Open 2025. It was the first tournament he played since his announcement... and he won. "I didn't feel any pressure. I played happily, my boyfriend was here with me, supporting me along with my entire team," Joao confesses.

Shortly after his now-famous post, Reis da Silva was met with an encouraging response. He himself admits that "99.9% of the messages were positive": he even received comments from major athletes in his country, including Thiago Monteiro, the top Brazilian tennis player. "I am happy that people respect me, that they notice me, maybe even that someone admires me.".

A NOT ALWAYS EASY PATH

The journey to this point, of course, was not always easy. Reis da Silva came out to his closest circle five years ago, but his junior years and his early years in tennis were filled with unpleasant comments in the locker rooms. "I couldn't say too much about who I was to my coaches or my friends. In the locker rooms of some tournaments, I heard things that bothered me, but when I started telling everyone that I am gay, they stopped making these comments. It's like when they have someone close to them who is gay, they respect him more and stop making those shitty comments," he says firmly.

In this regard, Reis da Silva understands the need for pioneers, players who openly embrace their homosexuality to ensure others do not feel alone and are encouraged to live and compete freely. "If people see someone at the top who is gay, things can change. People would stop saying hurtful things. If only one player from the top 100 were open about this issue, it would be easier for others to come out."

The lack of a role model to identify with was a significant factor in Joao taking so long to come out publicly. Yet, when telling his story, Reis da Silva does not want to be remembered solely for his sexual orientation, nor does he want that to be the only trait that comes up in conversation with him.

"When I was 15 or 16 years old, it was very hard for me to accept myself. Maybe if there had been someone in tennis who said: 'I'm gay, I'm here, competing in the best tournaments', it would have been easier for me to accept and love myself. People have told me this, they have said they admire me, that I inspire people, so that is very important to me. I have no problem being remembered as the great gay tennis player, but I don't want to talk about that all the time." The best news for Joao is that his journey is just beginning... and he will travel it without any barriers, with the freedom of someone who loves themselves regardless of what others say. Hopefully, his impact will be lasting.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El primer tenista en salir del armario se confiesa: "No quiero hablar de que soy gay constantemente"