WTA Requires Genetic Sex Testing for Women's Tennis Players

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) will require all players to undergo genetic sex testing to participate in the WTA Tour, limiting participating players to biological women.

The Details: Players may choose to provide a cheek swab, blood sample, or saliva sample to test for the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop. If a player tests positive, she will have to undergo further medical assessment before being allowed to play. The governing body of the association said, "The WTA's women's eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women's professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments."

For context: The previous policy, last updated in 2024, allowed transgender women to compete as long as their testosterone levels remained below 2.5 nmol/L for at least two years. There are no known transgender women currently competing on the WTA Tour. The United States Tennis Association also banned trans women from competing in women's events at the end of 2025.

How the Media Covered It: BBC (Center) primarily reported the details of the policy from WTA and subsequent statements from the association. LGBTQ Nation (Left bias) cited Dr. Andrew Sinclair, the professor who first identified the SRY gene, who said that the only thing the test identifies "is whether or not the gene is present. It does not tell you how SRY is functioning, whether a testis has formed, whether testosterone is produced, and, if so, whether it can be used by the body." LGBTQ Nation also highlighted the fact that WTA's founder in 1973 was both gay and a trans rights activist and said in 2020 that she was "proud to support all transgender athletes who simply want the access and opportunity to compete in the sport they love." New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted other sports organizations that have limited transgender women athletes from participating in women's sections, such as World Athletics, World Boxing, and the International Olympic Committee. The Post cited famed tennis player Martina Navratilova, who called the decision "a step in the right direction."

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