The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has updated its eligibility policy to require a one-time gene test for all female players. The test, which checks for the SRY gene to determine biological sex, can be conducted via a cheek swab or blood test. This new policy will come into effect on Tuesday.
Background
The previous WTA policy allowed transgender women to participate if they declared their gender as female and maintained a lowered testosterone level for two years before competing. However, there are no known transgender women currently active at any level of professional tennis.
A WTA spokesperson stated that eligibility to participate in WTA tournaments will be confirmed through the required screening process, which will begin in 2026. The WTA aims to treat all players with dignity and implement the policy in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
Other sports federations, such as World Athletics and World Boxing, have also introduced similar gene tests in recent years. The International Olympic Committee has stated that only biological female athletes whose gender has been determined by a one-time test will be eligible to participate in female category events at the Olympic Games.
Transgender advocacy groups argue that excluding transgender athletes amounts to discrimination. Critics of transgender inclusion, on the other hand, claim that going through male puberty gives athletes a musculo-skeletal advantage that transition does not mitigate.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
