There is a lot of machismo and stereotypes," says the first openly gay active pro player
Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, currently ranked 211th in the world and in the best form of his career, has made headlines. The Brazilian has become the first active tennis player to openly declare himself as gay.
He revealed the news by posting an ordinary photo with his boyfriend. For him, homosexuality in sports, particularly among men, is a huge taboo.
Indeed, no male player before him had revealed it during their career, whereas, on the contrary, it is a much more common phenomenon among women.
Speaking to La Nacion, he explains: "Without gay role models in tennis, I felt different. I never had a role model in my sport; I had friends off the court who made me understand that what I was feeling wasn't wrong.
It's really tough that homosexuality isn't discussed in men's tennis. There's a lot of machismo. And there are stereotypes that want men to appear stronger and more masculine; but it's a bit sad.
I remember the time when I wasn't open and I was trying to appear different. And when I started meeting friends in Rio de Janeiro who were like me, that's when I understood that they had no problem. They weren't hiding anything. I felt good seeing people who were like me."
Reis da Silva also talked about the moment he revealed his homosexuality to his family: "I was training in São Paulo, but they said everything was going to close, so I went back home.
It had been a long time since I had spent two or three weeks with my family, under the same roof, spending so much time together. I would always go to Recife, spend five days there, and then resume training.
One day, my mother told me that I seemed a bit different, that I was more serious. I was always a happy child, who joked around.
At first, I didn't tell them anything, but a few days later, I told them everything. It was a shock for them; they took time to digest and understand, but later, they told me they loved and supported me.
That was the hardest part for me, much more than last year when I posted the photo. Breaking the news to my parents and close friends...
I was terrified (laughs). But no one accepted me for who I am. That's why I'm proud of my family."
However, the Brazilian doesn't want to commit to this cause and become, in a way, a reference: "I don't want to serve as an example.
I'm at my career-high ranking because I'm fully dedicated to tennis, and I don't want that to change. I want to keep improving.
At first, when I talked about it, it was difficult because my routine remained the same, but other thoughts came to my mind. I was offered advertisements, campaigns, talks... and I didn't want to.
A tennis player already has a lot of pressure and thoughts running through their head. And the simpler the daily life, the better you handle things on the court.
