'Nothing transphobic about a sex test' - WTA's new genetic testing rule sparks huge response

Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova has offered her response to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announcing it will be carrying out genetic sex testing.

The body made the announcement on Monday (July 20), with female players now required to take a genetic sex test to compete on its Tour – including all four majors: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

The test involves a cheek swab as well as blood and saliva tests, aiming to detect the presence of the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics.

Biological females are born with two X chromosomes, while males are born with one X and one Y chromosome.

Players must also sign a document ahead of testing. If they refuse, they could be subject to disciplinary action.

"The WTA's women's eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women's professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments," the WTA wrote in a statement.

"Since first being introduced in 1975, the eligibility policy has undergone periodic review in light of developments across international sport.

"Following the most recent review, which included consultation with WTA members and evolving standards across women's sport, the WTA board approved an updated WTA women's eligibility policy beginning in 2026 based on biological sex."

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The body also said it understands the "sensitive and complex issue", while insisting that all players will be treated with "dignity" throughout the testing process. World Athletics and World Boxing have adopted similar genetic testing systems over the past year.

Current WTA singles World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has already spoken out against transgender athletes competing in women's sport, telling Piers Morgan: "I have nothing to do against them.

"But I feel like they still got a huge advantage over the women and I think it's not fair on women to face basically biological men."

She added: "It's not fair. The woman has been working her whole life to reach her limit and then she has to face a man, who is biologically much stronger, so for me I don't agree with this kind of stuff in sport."

Since a 2024 update to its policy, the WTA stated that transgender women must lower their testosterone levels to 2.5 nmol/L for a two-year period in order to compete. It should be noted that there are no known transgender players currently signed to the WTA.

Martina Navratilova defends WTA policy

The move has been considered controversial by some; however, tennis legend Navratilova has defended the WTA’s policy update, rubbishing claims that the decision is “transphobic” and “invasive”.

Responding to fan criticism of the decision on X, the Czech wrote: “WTA supports all women. As in females. There is no such thing as an invasive transphobic test - just a once-in-a-lifetime cheek swab - takes all of three seconds. Got it? Males are free to play in the men’s tournaments however they might identify. Simple.”

Meanwhile, the user responded: “The collection of such data on women itself feels invasive and the prospects of the tests are inherently transphobic. There are no biological males trying to play for the WTA either.”

This prompted Navratilova to reply: “It’s not a collection of data. Nothing transphobic about a sex test cheek swab. And if you think that’s invasive, try peeing in front of a stranger. Lol.”

Another user argued: “It's invasive because data on their DNA is collected and made public. Genetic variations exist in men and women, you want to destroy player privacy to fight people that don't exist. Did you take that test yourself? What about all your friends? When will you publish the results?”

The tennis icon replied: “Yes I took that test. All women athletes took that test until the test was stopped, I think, in the 2000 Olympics. And now we are restarting it at the Olympic level and in the WTA and it will hopefully trickle down. There is no reason to have male bodies in female sports.”