The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has updated its women's eligibility policy, requiring all players to undergo genetic sex testing based on biological sex. The one-time test, which involves a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample, checks for the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome. Players with a negative result can compete, and the test aligns with policies from the International Olympic Committee, World Athletics, and World Boxing.
Testing to Begin at Cincinnati Open
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, a WTA Player Council member, revealed that testing will start as early as next week at the Cincinnati Open. However, the policy has sparked backlash, with two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff accusing some of using the rule to attack the transgender community. Fans have also noted that there are no known transgender players at the top end of the pro tour.
Players' Reactions
Coco Gauff, the world No. 4, argued that fairness in sport is necessary but criticized the rollout. "I know it's been something that's been talked about a while. But I've talked to a couple other players, and a lot of them didn't find out until the press release. So I do think that's something that could have been more transparent amongst players across the tour," she said at the Canadian Open.
Gauff also expressed concern about the conversation's impact on the trans community. "I understand the reasoning behind it. I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity towards the trans community, which I'm not really a big fan of, but I also understand the need to, I guess, the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that. So I think it's a conversation that is very nuanced."
Jessica Pegula, however, believes the tour properly informed players. "My opinion is I think the WTA just wanted to update their policy based on what they have seen from other sporting organisations," she said. "So far, at least from my point of view, I don't really have any pushback on it. I think I haven't heard, even being on council, no players have really mentioned or said anything about it."
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka supported the policy, stating, "I think it's really important to keep the fairness in our tour. It's obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against [a] biological man. I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and, yeah, I support it."
Elena Rybakina suggested things were "fine" without the tests but confirmed players were educated on the policy. "I mean, I don't know what to comment. If we got to do it, we will do it. For me, I won't say it's unnecessary, but I think it was, without these tests, also fine. But if we need to do it, we will do it," she said.
French Open champion Mirra Andreeva chose to focus on herself, saying, "As of now, my focus is on playing my best on every tournament that I have. So, Toronto, Cincinnati, New York, every single tournament that I have to play. I'm completely okay with every rule that the WTA applies, and I will follow that."
