The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a new policy requiring female players to undergo a one-time genetic test to confirm their eligibility to compete on the women’s tour, marking a significant shift in the governing body’s participation rules.
The policy, which comes into effect on Tuesday, mandates a screening test for the SRY gene, a gene linked to biological sex determination. The test can be carried out through a cheek swab or a blood sample and will be required only once during a player’s career.
The WTA confirmed that the move replaces its previous regulations, which allowed transgender women to compete in women’s tournaments if they had declared a female gender identity and maintained testosterone levels below a prescribed threshold for a specified period.
According to the governing body, there are currently no known transgender women competing at any level of professional tennis.
A WTA spokesperson said that “eligibility to participate in WTA tournaments will be confirmed through a required, one-time screening process for the SRY gene.” The organisation added that the new framework would be implemented alongside an extensive player-engagement programme.
WTA FOLLOWS OTHER SPORTING BODIES
The decision aligns the WTA with a growing number of international sporting organisations that have introduced stricter eligibility criteria for female competitions. Earlier, World Athletics announced that athletes wishing to compete in the female category at world-ranking events would have to clear a one-time SRY gene test, while the International Olympic Committee also moved towards mandatory genetic screening for women’s events.
In a statement to Reuters, the WTA stressed that the screening process would be conducted under “strict confidentiality and privacy standards” and acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue.
“We understand that sex and gender issues can be complex, and we are committed to approaching this topic with dignity and respect,” the organisation said.
The policy has reignited debate over participation rules in women’s sport, with supporters arguing that genetic testing is necessary to preserve fairness and competitive balance, while critics have described such measures as discriminatory towards transgender athletes and some athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).
The WTA’s existing women’s eligibility policy states that it seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment for all athletes while maintaining “fair and meaningful competition conditions” in professional tennis. The governing body has also said that the policy will remain subject to periodic review in light of future scientific and legal developments.
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