The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is introducing mandatory one-off genetic testing for every player on its tour, effective immediately, as a prerequisite for competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The updated eligibility policy, published this week, requires players to be screened for the SRY gene — a DNA segment typically found on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development. The governing body said the measure is designed "to preserve the integrity of women's professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players," according to [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/wta-gene-testing-transgender-women-1f4efb8c070a031eb54e935deb0bbe23).
The move aligns the WTA with the eligibility framework introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March, which itself followed an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on participation in women's sport ahead of the 2028 Games.
Under the new rules, a "biological male" is defined as any individual who, regardless of legal sex or gender identity, carries the SRY gene and therefore has or previously had testes. A "biological female" is defined as someone without the SRY gene who has or previously had ovaries.
The WTA stressed that the policy draws a distinction between biological sex and gender identity. In a statement, the organisation said there is "no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person."
It remains unclear how many, if any, transgender women are currently competing on the WTA Tour at an Olympic-qualifying level. The same form of mandatory genetic screening is already in place in track and field, skiing, and boxing — all of which have adopted similar IOC-aligned policies.
Human rights experts and advocacy groups have publicly criticised the mandatory testing requirement, arguing it represents an unnecessary intrusion into athletes' privacy and bodily autonomy. Some have questioned the scientific basis of relying solely on the SRY gene as a binary sex determinant.
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