Dr. Renée Richards, the pioneering ophthalmologist who once dominated tennis headlines by successfully suing to play in the 1977 US Open after her transition, now stands on the opposite side, supporting bans on trans athletes in women’s sports. It’s a shocking turn that makes her already complex story even more impactful.
The Landmark 1977 Legal Battle That Shook Tennis
Back in ’77, this was THE story in tennis. Richards, who was already a top amateur player on the men’s side, made the bold move to sue for her right to compete in the women’s draw of the US Open. And get this: her legal muscle? None other than Roy Cohn. Yeah, *that* Roy Cohn, the guy known for prosecuting suspected communists during the Red Scare and even mentoring Donald Trump. Cohn’s firm took the case all the way and won, securing her place in the history books and the tournament.
A New Biography Dives Into a Complicated Legacy
Fast forward to today, and Richards’ legacy just got even more complex. The very person who fought for inclusion now advocates for bans on trans athletes in women’s sports. Talk about a development nobody saw coming. This whole fascinating, complicated journey is now being dug into in Julie Kliegman’s new biography, “Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer.” Kliegman’s book promises to explore every angle of this truly unique story, from her groundbreaking fight to her surprising current views.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Guardian.
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