The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has effectively barred trans women from competing on the women's professional tour after introducing mandatory genetic testing for all players under a new eligibility policy.
The governing body announced that players wishing to compete in WTA tournaments will be required to undergo a one-off test for the SRY gene, which is associated with male biological development. The screening can be carried out using either a cheek swab or blood sample and will become a condition of eligibility for competition.
The move represents a significant departure from the WTA's previous policy, introduced in 2024, which allowed trans women to compete provided they met strict testosterone suppression requirements over a two-year period. Under the new rules, athletes found to possess the SRY gene will be ineligible to compete in the women's category, subject to limited medical exceptions.
Trans inclusion advocates have criticised similar policies introduced across a growing number of sports, arguing that they exclude trans athletes despite there being no known trans women currently competing on the WTA Tour. Reuters reported that there are no known trans women active at any level of professional tennis, while the WTA itself acknowledged the issue remains highly sensitive and complex.
In a statement, the WTA said the updated policy followed a review process and consultation with members, adding that player screening would be conducted with confidentiality and data protection safeguards in place. The organisation said it remained committed to treating all players "with dignity" while implementing the new regulations.
The decision aligns the WTA with a wider trend among international sporting bodies. Similar genetic testing requirements have already been introduced by organisations including World Athletics and World Boxing, while the International Olympic Committee has also adopted eligibility rules based on a one-time sex determination test for women's events.
However, LGBTQ+ organisations have warned that such measures risk further marginalising trans people in sport. Stonewall previously criticised comparable testing requirements introduced elsewhere, arguing that they contribute to increasing division around transgender participation in public life.
The debate over transgender inclusion in sport remains one of the most contested issues facing governing bodies, with supporters of the restrictions arguing they are necessary to protect competitive fairness, while critics contend that blanket exclusions disproportionately affect a tiny number of athletes and can reinforce discrimination against trans communities. The latest WTA policy is likely to intensify those discussions in the months ahead.
There has not been a publicly known transgender woman competing in a WTA Tour event since trailblazing player Renée Richards, who played on the women's professional circuit between 1977 and 1981.
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