TL;DR
- New tennis league launched for trans women in Las Vegas.
- Initiative started by Valarie Witherspoon and Christine Delisle.
- Created in response to USTA’s ban on trans women in sports.
- Focus on community and recreational play, not competition.
- Aims to provide a safe space for socializing and playing tennis.
In a bold move that’s as refreshing as a cool drink on a hot summer day, a group of fierce women have decided to serve up inclusivity on the tennis court! Welcome to the new recreational tennis league in Las Vegas, specifically designed for transgender women who have been sidelined by the recent bans in traditional sports leagues. This initiative, dubbed “Tennis with Friends,” was co-founded by the dynamic duo, Valarie Witherspoon and Christine Delisle, who are on a mission to create a safe haven for trans athletes.
Witherspoon shared the origins of this empowering project, revealing, “It started with a text of five people saying, oh, we’re going to play every week. We’re going to figure out a way to play. We’re not losing you.” And just like that, a community was born! The need for such a league became painfully clear after the United States Tennis Association (USTA) decided to ban transgender women from competing in their leagues, citing a need for a “fair and safe competition environment.” This decision, made in December 2025, left many trans athletes scrambling for a place to play.
Delisle, who previously played in a league that had about five trans members, lamented the loss of her friends when the USTA implemented its new eligibility policy. “Some people have gone as far as to quit the league and say, we’re not being a part of this anymore,” she said. “And taking them out of that league really left them with an empty space not to be able to come out on a Saturday and Sunday and be with their friends.” Talk about a major buzzkill!
But fear not, because Tennis with Friends is here to change the game! Witherspoon and Delisle are determined to create an environment where everyone can enjoy the love of tennis without the pressure of competition or the fear of exclusion. “You’re going to have lots of people who say, ‘Well, yes, there shouldn’t be people playing in women’s sports who aren’t women,’” Delisle noted. “And then you have people who are saying, ‘Let them play because it’s recreational tennis.’ None of us is competing for scholarships or prize money.” It’s all about community, darling!
As Witherspoon put it, “The main word that keeps coming up is community, these women just want to hang out with their friends.” And isn’t that what sports should be about? So grab your racket and join the fun because Tennis with Friends is all about making memories, building connections, and serving up some serious love on the court. Who’s ready to ace this new chapter in inclusive sports?