# WTA mandatory genetic sex testing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wta-mandatory-genetic-sex-testing > Updated: 2026-08-16T13:24:38.000Z. Sources: 155. Developments: 12. The Women’s Tennis Association’s new eligibility policy, effective 21 July 2026, requires every professional female player to undergo a one‑time genetic test for the SRY gene. A negative result clears the athlete; a positive result triggers a medical review before competition. The rule replaces the former testosterone‑level requirement and aligns the tour with IOC, World Athletics and World Boxing mandates for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Testing began at the Cincinnati Open (8–23 August 2026) and can be performed via cheek swab, blood or saliva. Jessica Pegula reported that the initial rollout has been smooth and simple, noting little pushback from players who have already undergone testing. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has championed the measure, stating at a press conference in Montreal that “it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour” and that “biologically, men are way stronger than women.” Former champion Martina Navratilova also praised the move, thanking the WTA for “protecting the female category.” Coco Gauff expressed understanding of the fairness rationale but warned the policy could be “weaponized” against the trans community, noting concerns regarding hostility and animosity. Advocacy groups, including the Sport & Rights Alliance and ILGA World, have urged the WTA to abandon or suspend the policy, labeling it discriminatory. Lily Dong Li Rosengard of ILGA World stated the requirement forces all female players to ‘prove’ their gender, potentially causing stigmatization and trauma. The Sport & Rights Alliance also cited a lack of athlete involvement in the decision-making process. The WTA has confirmed that no openly transgender women currently compete on the tour. ## Claims - Coco Gauff said the testing policy creates animosity toward the trans community. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The WTA eligibility policy effective July 2026 requires all players to undergo a one‑time SRY gene test. (corroborated by 17 sources) - No openly transgender women are currently competing on the WTA Tour. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Mandatory testing will start at the Cincinnati Open, scheduled for 8–23 August 2026. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Jessica Pegula announced the testing start date. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The test can be performed using a cheek swab, blood sample, or saliva. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Aryna Sabalenka publicly supported the new testing policy. (corroborated by 13 sources) - A negative test result allows a player to continue competing; a positive result requires further medical examinations. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Aryna Sabalenka defeated Moyuka Uchijima 6‑3, 6‑3 in the second round of the Toronto WTA 1000 tournament. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Aryna Sabalenka said biological men are stronger than women and it would be unfair for women to compete against biological men. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: WTA begins mandatory gene testing for players in Cincinnati The WTA has started mandatory SRY gene testing in Cincinnati. While players like Aryna Sabalenka support the fairness measure, rights groups warn of potential stigmatization and lack of consultation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-begins-mandatory-gene-testing-for-players-in-cincinnati ### 2026-08-13: Advocacy groups urge WTA to drop sex-testing policy Advocacy groups are urging the WTA to scrap a new policy requiring players to undergo genetic testing to prove biological sex, calling the measure discriminatory and harmful. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/advocacy-groups-urge-wta-to-drop-sex-testing-policy ### 2026-08-09: Coco Gauff addresses WTA eligibility policy at Canadian Open Coco Gauff has voiced support for fairness in women’s sports while condemning the hostility toward transgender athletes following the WTA's new gene-testing eligibility policy in Toronto. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coco-gauff-addresses-wta-gene-testing-policy-and-competition ### 2026-08-06: WTA Mandates SRY Gene Testing for Female Players, Athletes React The WTA will require a one‑time SRY gene test for all female players starting at the 2026 Cincinnati Open. Athletes like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula support fairness but warn against anti‑trans backlash. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coco-gauff-critiques-wta-genetesting-policy-amid-trans-community-concerns ### 2026-08-04: Aryna Sabalenka backs WTA genetic sex testing amid Toronto win Aryna Sabalenka endorsed the WTA’s new mandatory genetic sex test, saying it protects fairness, while her 6‑3 6‑3 win over Moyuka Uchijima advanced her to the third round in Toronto. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aryna-sabalenka-backs-wta-genetic-testing-for-womens-tennis ### 2026-08-02: Martina Navratilova backs WTA mandatory sex‑testing rule for women’s tennis Martina Navratilova supports the WTA’s new mandatory sex‑testing rule, citing the 1998 Williams‑Braasch match and condemning calls for transgender inclusion in women’s sports. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/martina-navratilova-backs-wta-mandatory-sextesting-rule-for-womens-tennis ### 2026-08-02: Aryna Sabalenka backs WTA mandatory gene testing to keep men out of women's tennis The WTA will require one‑time SRY‑gene testing for all female players; world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka supports the policy, saying it ensures fairness and keeps biological men out of women’s tennis. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-mandates-genetic-gender-testing-for-players-before-2028-olympics ### 2026-07-29: WTA requires genetic sex testing for all women's tour players The WTA now mandates a one‑time SRY gene test for all female tour players, sparking support from Martina Navratilova and criticism from Rennae Stubbs and geneticist Andrew Sinclair. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-requires-genetic-sex-testing-for-all-womens-tour-players ### 2026-07-26: Martina Navrátilová backs WTA gender‑testing rule for female tennis players Martina Navrátilová supports WTA's new gender‑testing rule for female tennis players, sparking debate over its invasiveness. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/martina-navrtilov-backs-wta-gendertesting-rule-for-female-tennis-players ### 2026-07-23: Women's Tennis Association mandates genetic testing for all female players The WTA will require a one‑time SRY gene test for all female players starting July 2026, sparking debate over fairness and the impact on intersex athletes. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-mandates-genetic-testing-for-womens-tennis-eligibility ### 2026-07-21: WTA introduces mandatory biological sex testing for all female players The WTA now requires a one‑time SRY‑gene test for all players to verify biological sex, barring trans women and sparking debate over fairness and scientific validity. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-requires-mandatory-genetic-sex-verification-for-all-female-players ### 2026-07-19: WTA adopts mandatory genetic sex testing for all women’s‑tour players WTA will require a one‑time SRY gene test for all women’s‑tour players starting 21 July 2026; negative results allow competition, positives trigger review, and refusals may be penalised. The move aligns with Io 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wta-mandates-genetic-sex-testing-for-all-female-players --- Cite as: WTA mandatory genetic sex testing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wta-mandatory-genetic-sex-testing