gg2
Renee Richards news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Renée Richards, who sued to play women's tennis in 1977, now says she had an unfair advantage. A new biography chronicles her contradictions as Venus Williams at 46 gets a.
Background
Renée Richards, a former ophthalmologist and amateur tennis player, sued in 1977 for the right to play in the US Open as a trans woman. Her gender identity was outed by journalist Richard Carlson. A new biography by Julie Kliegman, published this week, explores her life and career. Richards now believes she did have an unfair advantage, masked by her late start in professional tennis.
How it unfolded
- 1977Renée Richards sued for the right to play in the US Open, becoming the first trans woman to play women's tennis.
- 1981Richards played at the US Open at age 47, the oldest entrant in singles until Venus Williams at 46 in 2026.
- Aug 18, 2026Venus Williams received a US Open wildcard at 46, becoming the oldest singles entrant since Richards in 1981.
- Aug 19, 2026A new biography, 'Finding Renée Richards,' was published, and Richards discussed her views on her own advantage.
Who’s saying what
- Renée Richards
- Richards now says she believes she did have an unfair advantage against her opponents, masked by her age.
- Biographer
- Julie Kliegman says Richards won acceptance in part because she was seen as a 'one-off.'
Still unverified
Richards' statement about having an unfair advantage is her personal opinion, not a verified fact.