According to the WTA, players must be tested for the SRY gene, which helps determine their biological sex.
Published July 20, 2026
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that tennis players will now need to pass one genetic test to compete on the women’s tour after updating their eligibility rules.
The WTA announced on Sunday that once-in-a-lifetime testing for the SRY gene, which helps determine biological sex, can be performed by cheek swab or blood test, and the new policy will come into effect on Tuesday.
Previous WTA policy allowed transgender women to participate if they declared their gender as female and maintained low testosterone levels for two years before competing.
Currently, there are no known transgender women active at any level in professional tennis.
“Eligibility for participation in WTA tournaments is confirmed through a mandatory one-time screening process for SRY genes,” a WTA spokesperson told Reuters.
“Player screening will begin in 2026, alongside a comprehensive player engagement program, with all appropriate confidentiality and data privacy safeguards in place.
“The WTA recognizes this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all athletes with dignity and implementing our policy in a respectful and thoughtful manner.”
Transgender player Renee Richards played on the women’s professional tour from 1977 to 1981 before coaching tennis’ great gay rights pioneer Martina Navratilova. Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, has been an outspoken critic of the inclusion of transgender players in the sport, while last year’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said it was unfair for women to play against transgender players.
Billie Jean King, who won the first Battle of the Sexes in 1973 and won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, considers the exclusion of transgender people to be discrimination.
Several sports federations, including World Athletics and World Boxing, have introduced similar genetic tests in recent years.
In March, the International Olympic Committee announced that only biological female athletes whose gender can be determined through a single test are eligible to compete in the women’s category of the Olympic Games.
Transgender advocacy groups say excluding transgender athletes constitutes discrimination.
Critics of transgender inclusion argue that experiencing male puberty gives athletes a musculoskeletal advantage that is not diminished by transition.
