Women’s Tennis Takes Major Step Toward Banning Trans Competitors

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) updated its eligibility requirements to require all players to undergo a one-time screening to be able to compete with other women. The policy notes the screenings will be fore the SRY gene, which is only found in the male-typical Y-chromosome. The new policy will take effect July 21. The previous policy allowed biological men identifying as women to compete if they kept testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for no less than two years, Fox News Digital reported. There are no known biological men currently competing in the WTA, according to the outlet. “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,” the policy reads. A negative SRY screening will permit a player to take part in WTA tournaments and will not be conducted again unless official believe there’s reason for an error to have taken place. However, a positve SRY screening will immediately bar a player from taking part in tournaments ahead of further assessment. The WTA’s new gene test can be administered with a simple swab, saliva sample, or blood test, according to the policy. Martina Navratilova, a retired tennis player who was coached by Renée Richards — the first transgender competitor in the WTA — has been outspoken on the issue. “I played no part in this particular policy, but am very happy that we at the WTA are clear that we are a women’s association and only women, as in females, can compete at the highest level of women’s tennis,” she posted on X. Richards later acknowledged in a 2024 position paper shared with Sport Illustrated that biologically male athletes may have an advantage over females. Richards reportedly recalled beating grand slam champion Nancy Richey during the U.S. Open 35-and-over final for 1979. “I was competitive with players who were 25, in my mind, but I suddenly realized that fairness afforded by the age gap may well have been the reason I could compete without an advantage in the Open category,” Richards said, adding that he never competed in the over-35 category again.