- WTA has banned genetic testing for eligibility in women’s sports; the policy prohibits it from being used to determine a person’s eligibility.
- WTA requires that anyone who wants to compete in women’s events must have a test result showing whether they have SRY genes; otherwise, the athlete must provide a medical certificate confirming the presence of Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or an equivalent disorder.
- Coco Gauff supports the ban, but says that it is up to sporting authorities to decide; Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina believe the test is discriminatory.
WTA has banned genetic testing for determining eligibility for participation in women’s sports. The materials say that the new policy is designed to ensure that the sport remains fair and safe for all participants.
In particular, WTA says that the policy excludes genetic testing and gender identification, and that only biological sex based on the presence of SRY genes can be used for eligibility.
The materials also note that the WTA policy is meant to prevent transgender women from competing in women’s sport, identifying that they have a certain advantage, as well as to ensure that the sport remains fair.
According to the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto, Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5 in straight sets, with the American having stated that she supports transgender inclusion but also that she believes the comparison is not fair. She said that the logic of the ban for SRY genes is questionable, and that such restrictions could be discriminatory.
In addition, the materials cite gravity, which are used to determine WTA’s eligibility criteria. Aryna Sabalenka said that she considers the policy unfair, while Elena Rybakina said that she believes the test is necessary.
Also, the materials mention Belinda Bencic and Jessica Pegula. Bencic said that she supports the WTA approach to determining eligibility, while Pegula said that she believes the policy is wrong and violates women’s rights.
It is also stated that the ban was announced in Cincinnati, and that the WTA will introduce the policy for athletes at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The next match for Coco Gauff in Toronto, according to the draw, will be against Maria Sakkari.