Reporting note: this article draws on BBC Sport; PGLive provides the summary and editorial framing.
New Eligibility Policy Takes Effect
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a significant shift in its eligibility regulations, requiring all professional players to undergo genetic sex testing to compete on the Tour. The new policy, which comes into effect on Tuesday, mandates that athletes provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample to screen for the presence of the SRY gene—a component of the Y chromosome associated with the development of male characteristics.
Policy Details and Enforcement
Under the updated guidelines, players will be required to undergo this testing once in their lifetime. Only those who return a negative result, indicating the absence of the SRY gene, will be automatically permitted to compete. Players who test positive will be subject to further medical assessment before a final determination on their eligibility is made. The WTA has also introduced a mandatory document for players to sign, acknowledging that refusal to undergo testing may result in disciplinary action.
Context and Industry Trends
This policy marks a departure from the WTA’s 2024 regulations, which previously allowed transgender women to compete if they maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for a continuous two-year period. The governing body stated that the change is intended to "promote equal athletic opportunities" and "maintain fair competition" based on biological sex. While there are currently no known transgender women competing on the WTA Tour, the organization noted that the decision follows periodic reviews and consultations with members.
The WTA’s move aligns with broader trends in international sports governance. World Athletics implemented similar one-time genetic testing requirements for female-category ranking competitions in September 2025, and World Boxing adopted mandatory SRY testing for its women’s category in May 2025.
The WTA has stated its commitment to implementing these measures with "dignity" and "respect," acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue as the tour transitions to these new standards in 2026.
