Joao Lucas Reis da Silva: How Instagram post led to the ATP Tour’s first openly gay active player
In 2017, American Brian Vahaly became the first openly gay ATP player, a decade after his career ended.
Before Reis da Silva, no active player on the men’s tour was willing to do the same thing.
In addition to a lack of role models, there are various other reasons.
Travel to countries where homosexuality is illegal and the hypermasculinity of ATP Tour locker rooms are frequently mentioned.
“When I came out, I used to hear a lot of negative comments about gays and lesbians in the locker room and around the pitch. It was like that day in and day out,” Reis da Silva said.
“Once I came out to my friends and people around me, I stopped hearing these things — and that’s a big deal.
“When these people are around gay people, they stop making these comments, which creates a better environment.”
The attention Reis da Silva has received, especially from overseas, appears to have confused the player and his partner.
The couple felt so natural that they attracted interview requests from reporters across South America, the United States and Europe.
Reiss da Silva received messages of support from King as well as leading Brazilian players Thiago Monteiro and Bruno Suarez.
His Instagram following has climbed from 7,800 to more than 25,000.
Since the post, Reis da Silva has felt a “different energy” in real life and online.
Once the shock of attention wore off, the positive atmosphere allowed his game to flourish.
The following week, he won the Procopio Cup in Rio de Janeiro, earning himself a coveted spot in the qualifying draw for the city’s ATP 500 event in February.
“It’s amazing how many good messages I receive – people saying they admire me and that I inspire them. I love reading that,” Reis da Silva said.
“I’m afraid of hate and people saying bad things – but I don’t receive a lot. It’s just a small amount. The positivity is overwhelming.
“Maybe it’s just a coincidence that I won after posting, maybe it’s something different.”
