Richard Raskin, born in 1934, embarked on a life-altering journey from a young age, dressing as a woman since childhood. As he matured, he felt an overwhelming sense of disconnection from his biological body, ultimately leading him to believe that he was born into the wrong physical form.
Despite this, Richard pursued a successful career as an eye surgeon, even dedicating his medical expertise to the military. Throughout his life, he intermittently attempted to undergo a sex change operation, a quest that would eventually culminate in 1974.
Before his transformation, Richard married and had a child, but the union ultimately ended in divorce. Following his sex change operation, he relocated to Los Angeles and pursued a new passion – tennis. However, his success on the court was short-lived, as the truth about his sex change operation began to surface, resulting in his ban from professional tennis.
Undeterred, Richard fought back, winning a lawsuit that ultimately reinstated his right to compete. Although he continued to play tennis, he eventually retired in 1982 and returned to New York, where he went on to teach the renowned tennis player, Martina Navratilova.
Richard's remarkable story was immortalized in his 1984 autobiography, "Second Serve," which chronicled his extraordinary journey. Additionally, he continued to practice eye surgery, a testament to his unwavering dedication to his profession.
