The Women's Tennis Association has introduced a new policy requiring all players to undergo a genetic test to determine their biological sex in order to compete in the women's tour. This one-time test, which checks for the presence of the SRY gene, will be mandatory for all athletes and will come into effect immediately, with disciplinary action taken against those who refuse to comply.
The previous rules allowed transgender women to participate if they identified as female and had low testosterone levels for two years prior to competition. However, there are currently no known transgender women competing at the professional level in tennis. According to the WTA, 'the updated policy aims to establish a clear standard for eligibility in WTA tournaments,' with player screening set to begin in 2026, prioritizing confidentiality and data privacy. The WTA has acknowledged the sensitivity of this issue and has committed to implementing the policy with respect and dignity for all players.
This change follows similar moves by World Athletics and World Boxing in 2025 to introduce SRY testing for female athletes.