Aryna Sabalenka wins in Toronto and endorses WTA genetic testing rule
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6‑3, 6‑3 in the second round of the Canadian Open (WTA 1000) in Toronto. The win was her 24th on hard courts this season and moves her into the third round, where she is scheduled to meet China’s Zhang Shuai.
During a press conference at the tournament, Sabalenka said she supports the Women’s Tennis Association’s new eligibility policy, which requires a one‑time mandatory genetic test for the SRY gene for all players on the tour. She said, “It’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” and added, “If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that.” She also noted that biologically, men are stronger than women and that competing against biological men would be unfair.
The policy, which took effect on 21 July, bans any player who tests positive for the SRY gene unless she qualifies for a CAIS exemption. Sabalenka’s comments have sparked a broad debate on social media about fairness and inclusion in women’s sport.
Entities: Aryna Sabalenka · Moyuka Uchijima · National Bank Open · National Bank Open (Toronto) · Nick Kyrgios · SRY gene · Sophie Cunningham · Women's Tennis Association · Women's Tennis Association (WTA) · Women’s Tennis Association · Zhang Shuai
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Players who test positive for the SRY gene will be banned from women’s competition unless they have a CAIS exemption. (29147cd3-172e-43d7-b35c-f74f89ab98fa)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sabalenka said men are biologically stronger than women and it would be unfair for women to compete against biological men. (db35c71d-60bb-4d37-9326-b637eefe91b3, 6f3fe354-081a-4403-ae1c-fa30d4e377cf, 29147cd3-172e-43d7-b35c-f74f89ab98fa, c631c3)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The WTA policy was implemented on July 21. (c631c3a2-6c1a-4d6e-8e52-e30b051cd36c, 81d71a36-050b-47c5-8cb9-6f6e1936cf22)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka said she would be happy to be tested, “If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that.” (6f3fe354-081a-4403-ae1c-fa30d4e377cf)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka defeated Moyuka Uchijima 6‑3, 6‑3 in the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto. (e9275df6-de94-47a3-a724-071d48b23289)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka said she supports the WTA's new mandatory genetic testing policy. (db35c71d-60bb-4d37-9326-b637eefe91b3)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka is the world No. 1 women's tennis player. (e9275df6-de94-47a3-a724-071d48b23289)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The WTA policy requires a one‑time mandatory genetic test for the SRY gene for all women’s tour players. (29147cd3-172e-43d7-b35c-f74f89ab98fa)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka will face Zhang Shuai in the third round of the Toronto WTA 1000 tournament. (e9275df6-de94-47a3-a724-071d48b23289)