The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that all players wishing to compete on the WTA Tour must undergo mandatory genetic sex testing, marking a major shift in eligibility policy for professional women's tennis.
The updated regulations, set to take effect from Tuesday, require every player to provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample for a one-time screening of the SRY gene — a gene located on the Y chromosome responsible for triggering male-typical sex development. Only a negative result, indicating no presence of the gene, will permit a player to compete. A positive result would necessitate further medical assessment before eligibility can be granted.
The policy replaces the WTA's previous framework, last revised in 2024, which allowed transgender women and non-binary players to compete provided they had maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least two years. According to the WTA, there are currently no known transgender women active on the tour.
In its official statement, the WTA said the policy is designed to "preserve the integrity of women's professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players." The governing body acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, committing to implement the rules "in a respectful and thoughtful way."
The move aligns the WTA with other global sports bodies. World Athletics introduced mandatory SRY gene testing for female track and field athletes in September 2025, the International Olympic Committee announced a similar requirement for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and World Boxing adopted the SRY test in May 2025.
The policy has drawn sharply divided reactions. The White House has voiced support for gene-based eligibility in women's sport, while UK LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall criticised the IOC's parallel move as one that "stokes further division in an increasingly polarised world." Players will also be required to sign a consent document, with disciplinary consequences for those who refuse testing.
The WTA emphasised that its policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, stating: "There is no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person."
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