footage still via instagram @joaolreis; Wang Tiancong/Xinhua via Getty Images
Joao Lucas Reis da Silva is making headlines this week after coming out on social media!
The pro athlete is breaking ground as one of the first men in his sport to come out while competing. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about him!
Who is Joao Lucas Reis da Silva?
Da Silva is a 24-year-old Brazilian pro tennis player from Recife, Brazil. He's 5'10" and weighs 165 pounds. He plays right-handed and is coached by Arthur Rabelo.
How long has Joao Lucas Reis da Silva played tennis?
He's been playing tennis since at least 2017, and is currently playing on the ATP Challenger Tour circuit. He's currently ranked number 401 in the world in singles and number 367 in the world in doubles, but he's been ranked as high as number 259 in singles and 204 in doubles.
He's won nine ITF titles, including six in doubles, and in 2023 won his first Challenger trophy alongside Boscardin Dias at the Santiago Open.
This week he is competing in the Procopio Cup in Sao Paulo, a pre-qualifying event for the Rio Open.When did Joao Lucas Reis da Silva come out?
Da Silva came out publicly on December 7 when he posted Instagram photos of himself alongside his partner, Gui Sampaio Ricardo. The caption read, "Happy birthday, happy life, I love you a lot."
The photos show the two men going to the beach, sitting together, and showing affection. Ricardo commented on the post saying "Te amo" with a heart emoji.
Da Silva is one of the first pro tennis players to come out, but has some people who went before him. In 2013, Lendale Johnson went pro on the International Tennis Federation's pro circuit tour and has continued to play in tournaments since. Johnson has since come out as a trans woman and plans to continue to compete against men.
Who is Joao Lucas Reis da Silva dating?
Da Silva is dating actor Gui Sampaio Ricardo. Ricardo appeared in the Brazilian TV show Rensga Hits! as the character Segurança. He recently starred in the play Bent by Martin Sherman as Wolfgang Granz, a gay Nazi soldier. The play explores the persecution of gay men in Nazi Germany.
He also works as a model and celebrated his 37th birthday this week.
Scroll through to see more pics of the handsome couple!
