Advocacy groups have called on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to withdraw its newly introduced sex-testing policy, describing the measure as discriminatory and raising concerns about its possible impact on players.
The Sport & Rights Alliance led the call on August 13, urging the WTA to reconsider the policy. Under the new rules, players on the women’s professional tour are required to undergo a one-time genetic test for the SRY gene, which is used as part of determining biological sex. The test can be carried out using a cheek swab or blood sample.
Advocacy Groups Raise Concerns
The Sport & Rights Alliance said the policy could cause stigma and trauma for women and girls required to undergo the testing. Other advocacy groups, including ILGA World, also criticised the policy, arguing that it could undermine the safety and dignity of players .
Critics have particularly questioned the need for the policy, noting that Reuters reported there are currently no openly transgender women competing at the professional level. They argue that requiring all players to undergo testing could have wider consequences for athletes beyond the issue the policy is designed to address.
WTA Testing Has Already Begun
The debate has intensified after reports confirmed that genetic testing has already begun. Jessica Pegula said testing was underway at the Cincinnati Open, following the WTA’s July announcement introducing the new eligibility rules.
A WTA spokesperson previously said the organisation recognises the issue is sensitive and complex and intends to implement the policy respectfully while treating players with dignity.
The new policy replaces an earlier approach that allowed transgender women to compete if they met specific testosterone requirements for a defined period. The change brings the WTA closer to policies adopted by other major sporting organisations.
Players Express Different Views
The issue has divided opinion across the tennis world. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has publicly supported the policy, while American star Coco Gauff has expressed a more cautious view.
Gauff said she supports fairness in women’s sport but is concerned that the debate could create hostility towards the transgender community. Her comments highlight the difficult balance between questions of sporting eligibility, fairness and inclusion.
The controversy is expected to remain a major talking point as the WTA continues rolling out the testing programme. With advocacy groups now demanding that the policy be withdrawn, the organisation could face increasing pressure to explain and defend its approach.
For now, the debate over genetic testing in women’s tennis continues, with players, rights groups and sports authorities holding different views on how best to protect both fairness and the dignity of athletes.
