Mika Brunold and João Lucas Reis da Silva make tennis history

In a historic moment for professional tennis, Mika Brunold and João Lucas Reis da Silva competed in the first known match between two openly gay male players. The encounter took place during the final of the Tulln Challenger in Austria on Sunday, September 13.

Swiss player Mika Brunold defeated Brazil's João Lucas Reis da Silva with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Following the match, Brunold publicly credited Reis da Silva for his influence, stating, “A year after your coming out, I made mine, and you were a great inspiration for me, and I am really proud of us.”

Reis da Silva, who came out in December 2024, was the first active professional male tennis player to do so. Brunold, 21, followed in December 2025, noting that he reached a point where remaining silent about his sexuality no longer felt right. Both players expressed hope that their visibility could serve as a model for others struggling with their sexual orientation.