[REVISION HISTORY]

WTA mandatory genetic sex testing

Updated 20 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-13 16:03 UTC → 2026-08-16 18:01 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~The WTA ran an education campaign for~~ Jessica Pegula reported that the initial rollout has been smooth and simple, noting little pushback from players ~~ahead of rollout.~~ who have already undergone testing. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ~~publicly backed~~ has championed the measure, stating ~~it is essential for~~ at a press conference in Montreal that “it’s really important to keep the fairness ~~because~~ 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 ~~the~~ hostility and animosity directed toward transgender people. Additional voices have joined the debate. WNBA star Sophie Cunningham called for protecting young girls, and league commissioner Cheryl Reeve highlighted human‑rights concerns. In response to the rollout, advocacy groups animosity. Advocacy groups, including the Sport & Rights Alliance and ILGA ~~World~~ 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.

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