A CHILEAN transsexual became the first to play in a professional women's tournament for more than 30 years after being given permission by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Thirty-two years after the American Renee Richards became the first transsexual in the professional game, Andrea Paredes von Roth made her debut in Buenos Aires in a Futures event at the age of 37.
Paredes was born on 4 July, 1971, as Ernesto Par
edes, but underwent a sex-change operation in October 2000.
A long fight for acceptance came to an end when she was permitted by the ITF to play in Buenos Aires this week. Paredes told the city's Clarin newspaper: "It's a dream come true for me. Here I've been treated very well, better than in my country. They treat the issue more normally.
"I am proud to be the second (transsexual) tennis player after Richards".
Paredes added: "I am 37, but biologically it is as if I were 27. I think at this time any ideas about age are obsolete. I take the match calmly, it is the start of my career. I worked hard in silence for two years."
She may have taken the match calmly, but Paredes was thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by British qualifier Nicola Slater.
Pain in the neck for SchumacherMICHAEL Schumacher might have been pretty much unstoppable on four wheels, but the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has had to shelve plans to compete in the International German Motorcycling Championship this weekend.
Schumacher crashed while testing his bike in Spain in February and says his neck is still too sore to compete at the Lausitzring in his native Germany. "I had to call it off, I am still not healthy enough," he said. "I can just about ride a bicycle. When I have to move my neck quickly, I am limited."
Sharks bail out Stockport SALE Sharks have retained a generous streak even in these straitened financial times. The Guinness Premiership rugby club were fined £5,000 for fielding an ineligible player earlier this week, but still feel flush enough to pay for the policing of Stockport County's League One game against Crewe on Friday.
The match at Edgeley Park, owned by Sale, might have been played behind closed doors if not for the rugby club's intervention. "We have always tried to help the football club when we can," said Sale chief executive James Jennings.
TALES FROM THE TABS
DREAM TICKET FOR ROSSTHE Daily Express believes Scotland striker Ross McCormack could be offered a "dream ticket" to the English Premier League with West Ham.
The Cardiff City forward has been banging in the goals in the Championship, and it is claimed Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has been impressed with what he has seen and could make a £3 million offer to lure the former Motherwell man to East London.
The same paper also pinpointed Northern Irish international Michael O'Connor as a possible summer signing target for Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen. The 21-year-old is currently out of favour at Crewe Alexandra and would command a fee of around £250,000.
The Express also managed to grab a word with former Hearts manager Valdas Ivanuaskas, who insisted Andrius Velicka can fire Rangers to title glory.
The Daily Record revealed that Jamie Smith's hopes of winning a new deal with Aberdeen could be dashed by an injury which will restrict his chances of impressing his paymasters this term.
The full article contains 582 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
