WTA introduces mandatory genetic sex test for all tour players

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that all athletes will now be required to undergo testing for the SRY gene, which is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics and is located on the Y chromosome. The new rules take effect from Tuesday, according to Britain's BBC.

The test can be taken in several ways — via a cheek swab, blood test or saliva sample. According to the WTA, each player will be tested only once in her career: if the result is negative and the SRY gene is not detected, the athlete is cleared to compete on tour. If the test comes back positive, the player will be referred for further examination and will not be allowed to compete until it is completed.

The new rules also require players to sign a document stating that refusal to take the test could result in suspension from competition.

The previous version of the rules, in force since 2024, also allowed transgender women to compete on tour, provided their testosterone levels had not exceeded 2.5 nmol/L over the preceding two years (for comparison, this figure typically ranges from 0.2 to 2.9 nmol/L in adult women). However, no transgender athlete is currently competing on the tour.

"The WTA's eligibility rules are designed to ensure a level playing field in professional women's tennis and fair competition for all participants in WTA tournaments," the organization said, stressing that it recognizes the sensitivity of the issue and intends to treat all players with respect and dignity.

The news spread rapidly online, with fans thanking tennis stars Aryna Sabalenka and Martina Navratilova, who have long advocated that only athletes born female should be allowed to compete in women's events.

One user thanked Navratilova for her contribution to the decision. The tennis legend replied that she was not personally involved in drafting the specific rules but was genuinely happy with the outcome. "I wasn't involved in these particular rules," she wrote, "but I'm very glad that we at the WTA have made it clear: we are a women's association, and only women — in the biological sense — can compete at the top level of women's tennis."

Similar measures are already in place in other sports. For instance, the World Athletics council introduced comparable SRY gene testing back in September of last year. In addition, a negative genetic test result will become a mandatory requirement for participation in women's categories across all Olympic disciplines starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Games — a decision the International Olympic Committee made in March.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz