In the early 80's I was in my 20's and teaching tennis here on SSI at Sea Palms Resort. We held a Women's Circuit Professional Tennis Tournament every year. This tournament was scheduled in between the Hilton Head and Amelia Island tournaments so it drew a few top ranked players (top 30) in the world every year.

One year as the players commitment list were coming in as usual we get a commitment from Renee Richards/Richard Raskins. This was shortly after Renee went to court to sue the WTA in efforts to play on the women's circuit as a woman. She had played a few tournaments already and was ranked in the top 20 in the world.

As everyone knows Georgia is a red state and SSI is likely the most conservative place in Georgia. Most here also know I am pretty conservative also. So, in my young mind and most everyone here we are thinking here comes this "freak show" to our town and tournament. Some families were even concerned about their kids helping as ball persons which we needed badly to run the tournament. Remember, this was the early 80's.

Well...when word got out Renee was playing here the media/press covered us up. About 3-4 days before the tournament started, in walks in Renee, her partner, and her large dog on a leash. She was wearing a halter top tennis dress and flip flops. She walked straight over to me at the counter and stuck out her hand and said, "hello, I am Renee Richards and I am here to sign in for the tournament next week." (like I didn't know who she was) She stood there like 6'2" and I'll never forget shaking her hand as it was a very huge hand. Then she said she needed some new shoes, size 13...mens. You can change things on your body from male to female, but your hands and feet never change. As I am stumbling around looking for size 13 men's shoes she is just sitting there playing with her dog.

After she puts her shoes on and pays for them she looks at me as said, "hey WL, you have time to stroke a few with me? I can use some help with my serve". I said sure and grab my racquet and we go practice for a couple of hours. She is left handed and grunting with a deep voice on every hit. She was also very good...her biggest fault was she was slow and couldn't move well but if she could get to the ball she could nail it and hurt you.

Anyway--she and I end up practicing a lot all week, going to dinner with our staff, and hanging out the whole time she is there. She gets beat in the semi-finals by a girl from England. She may have been one of the smartest people I have ever met. She was an eye doctor before she made the change. She is back in New York the last I heard. I ran into her once in NY at the US Open years later...she hadn't changed a bit.

The old saying never judge a book by its cover is so true and I along with our entire Island here learn this from Renee. She was/is the nicest person...she was not any "freak show". At least to me anyway. She never forced anything on me or anyone else...she taught me a lot just by being herself. I am proud to call her a friend.

WL