Martina Navrátilová backs WTA gender‑testing rule for female tennis players

Legendary Czech tennis champion Martina Navrátilová (69) publicly endorsed the Women's Tennis Association's new policy requiring all female players to undergo a biological sex test. The test checks for the presence of the SRY gene, a marker for male sex, and is similar to procedures already used in athletics, skiing and boxing.

Navrátilová responded to critics on social media, stating, “WTA supports all players as women. There is nothing like an invasive transphobic test – just a single swab from the face – it takes three seconds.” She added, “If you think it is invasive, try to pee in front of a stranger.” She also claimed she herself had undergone such testing when it was previously required for Olympic competition.

The announcement has sparked heated debates within the tennis community and broader sport circles about the invasiveness of the tests and their impact on transgender and intersex athletes.