Renée Richards competes in women's tennis tournament under alias
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 3:30 PM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
In July 1976, Renée Richards entered the La Jolla Tennis Tournament under the name Renée Clark. Despite potential recognition due to her powerful serve, she advanced to the finals, defeating top seed Robin Harris 6–1, 6–1. Rumors circulated about her identity during the competition, yet Richards continued to play amid the swirling speculation. Her participation highlighted the tensions surrounding gender identity and competition in sports, significantly impacting discussions on inclusion and women's sports.
- •Richards competed under the alias Renée Clark at the La Jolla Tennis Tournament.
- •She won the final match against Robin Harris with a score of 6–1, 6–1.
- •Speculation about her identity grew as she progressed through the tournament.
- •Richards ranked as high as sixth nationally in men's 35-and-over tennis before transitioning.
- •Her participation in the tournament occurred during a period of significant social change.
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"If only it could have simply stayed about the game.
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