She Sued to Play Women’s Tennis. Now She Regrets It.
The Complicated Legacy of Dr. Renée Richards: Tennis Pioneer and Unexpected Voice in the Trans Sports Debate
Quick Summary for Busy Readers
- Dr. Renée Richards was a transgender woman who won a landmark legal battle to play in the 1977 US Open.
- She had a successful tennis career, but later changed her mind about whether trans women should compete in women’s sports.
- At age 92, she says her male puberty gave her physical advantages that hormone therapy didn’t erase.
- She strongly supports trans rights in all other areas of life (jobs, bathrooms, healthcare) but sees sports as a unique category based on biology.
- A new biography explores the contradictions in her life and views.
Who Was Renée Richards?
Imagine being a talented tennis player and a respected eye doctor, but feeling like you’re living in the wrong body. That was Renée Richards’ life before 1975.
The Basics:
- Born: 1934 (assigned male at birth, named Richard Raskind)
- Career: Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) and amateur tennis star
- Transition: Underwent gender-affirming surgery in 1975 at age 41
- Historic Moment: Sued the US Open in 1977 for the right to play as a woman — and won
The 1977 Court Battle: A David vs. Goliath Story
What Happened?
After transitioning, Richards wanted to keep playing tennis. But the tennis world wasn’t ready.
| Tournament | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Some local events | Let her play |
| Italian Open | Accepted her, then banned her days before start |
| US Open | Flat-out refused — said she had to take a "sex test" (chromosome check) |
The Turning Point
Richards sued, arguing the ban violated New York State’s Human Rights Law. A judge agreed — making her the first trans woman legally recognized to compete in professional women’s sports.
The Result: She played the 1977 US Open. Lost in the first round of singles, but made the women’s doubles final with partner Betty Ann Stuart.
A Successful Career — Then a Surprising Change of Heart
Her Tennis Resume (Ages 43–47)
- Competed on the women’s pro tour for 4 years
- Reached top 20 in world rankings
- Coached Martina Navratilova to two Wimbledon titles
- Retired in 1981 at age 47
The Moment Everything Changed: 1979
Richards used to think: "I’m older than everyone else, so my male puberty advantage is canceled out by my age."
Then she beat Nancy Richey in the 35-and-over championship final.
- Richey was a Hall of Famer (French Open winner)
- Richards was only 10 years older — not 20+
- Lightbulb moment: "Wait… if I can beat a legend close to my age, maybe I DO still have an advantage."
The Controversial Stance: "I Was Selfish"
Richards now says trans women should NOT play women’s sports — at any level (pro, college, amateur, even rec leagues).
Her Reasoning (In Simple Terms)
-
Male puberty changes your body permanently:
- Bigger bones → longer levers for hitting/throwing
- Larger heart & lungs → more oxygen delivery
- More muscle mass → more power
- These don’t fully go away with hormone therapy
-
Sports categories exist for fairness:
- We separate by weight (boxing), age (juniors/seniors), sex (men/women)
- Sex categories exist because biology creates performance gaps
- Her personal proof:
- "I know what I became, compared to what I had been."
- She beat top women players after transition — something she couldn’t do as a man
Richards’ Own Words:
"I was selfish. I was looking out for myself… I wanted to be happy. Only secondly, what was fair for the world."
The Twist: She’s NOT Anti-Trans
This is where it gets complicated. Richards strongly disagrees with anti-trans politicians and activists.
Where She Draws the Line
| Area | Richards’ View |
|---|---|
| Sports | Trans women have biological advantage → exclude from women’s categories |
| Jobs/Politics | No physical advantage → full inclusion (e.g., trans congressperson = fair) |
| Bathrooms/Locker Rooms | "Stupid argument… gobbledygook" → full access |
| Healthcare/Identity | "Being a trans woman is a right and should be respected" → full support |
Her Message to Critics
"Don’t beat up on them so much. Try it yourself… It’s a curse. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone."
She emphasizes:
- Being trans is "a blight," "a curse," "almost life-ending for some"
- She’s lucky — most trans people face far harder lives
- The sports debate is being weaponized to attack trans people broadly
The Biographer’s Perspective: Julie Kliegman
Book: Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer (2025)
Key Insights from Kliegman:
- Richards was accepted as a "one-off" — an exception, not a precedent
- Personal relationships mattered — Martina Navratilova liked Renée but now opposes trans inclusion broadly
- Sports is the "wedge issue" — anti-trans forces use it to roll back ALL trans rights
- Conceding on sports won’t save other rights — "They’ll just move to the next target"
Why This Matters Today
The Richards story isn’t just history — it’s the blueprint for today’s debates.
The Core Tension
- Fairness in competition vs. Inclusion and human dignity
- Biology vs. Identity
- One person’s lived experience vs. Policy for millions
What Makes Richards Unique
- She’s lived both sides: fought TO compete, now argues AGAINST it
- She separates sports from civil rights — rare in today’s polarized climate
- She centers compassion for trans people even while taking a controversial stance
Summary: The Big Picture
- Renée Richards broke barriers in 1977, winning the right for trans women to compete.
- She excelled — proving trans women can compete at high levels.
- She later concluded her male puberty gave her lasting advantages that made competition unfair.
- She calls her own lawsuit "selfish" — prioritizing her happiness over fairness to others.
- She remains fiercely pro-trans in every other aspect of life.
- Her story shows this issue isn’t simple — even pioneers can change their minds.
- The debate continues — with Richards’ voice adding nuance (and controversy) to all sides.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Did Renée Richards dominate women’s tennis?
No. She was a solid pro (top 20), but not a dominant champion. Her best result was the 1977 US Open doubles final. She believes her age masked her advantage — when she played women closer to her age, she beat legends.
Does she regret transitioning?
Absolutely not. She says being trans is "a curse" she wouldn’t wish on anyone, but she doesn’t regret her transition. She regrets suing to play because she now believes it was unfair to other women.
Why does she think sports are different from bathrooms or jobs?
Sports are about physical performance. She points out we have weight classes, age divisions, and sex categories because bodies perform differently. A trans legislator has no physical edge; a trans athlete might.
What do other trans athletes think?
Views vary widely. Some agree with Richards; many strongly disagree. Most major medical/athletic organizations currently support inclusion with guidelines (like testosterone limits). The science is still evolving.
Is this just a right-wing talking point?
Richards says no — and she calls anti-trans bathroom rhetoric "stupid." But her sports stance is cited by anti-trans legislators. Kliegman argues the sports debate is being used as a wedge to attack all trans rights. Richards insists the two can be separated.
Final Thought:
Renée Richards’ life refuses to fit on a bumper sticker. She’s a trailblazer who regrets her trail, a trans elder who opposes trans inclusion in sports, a conservative voice on biology who’s liberal on human rights. Her story reminds us that real people are messy — and policy made from slogans often misses the humans in the middle.