The single sharpest fact is this: the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) will now require all players to undergo genetic sex testing to compete on the WTA Tour.

The new policy, which comes into effect on Tuesday, demands that players provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene, part of the Y chromosome responsible for male characteristics. Players will be tested just once in their lifetime, and only a negative result, showing no presence of the gene, will allow them to compete on the Tour. If they test positive, players will face further medical assessment before being allowed to play.

The WTA's women's eligibility policy was first introduced in 1975 and has undergone periodic review since. In the latest review, which included consultation with WTA members and evolving standards across women's sport, the governing body decided to update the policy based on biological sex.

World Athletics introduced a similar requirement for athletes competing in the female category for world ranking competitions in September 2025. World Boxing also approved the use of the SRY test in May 2025, when it introduced mandatory sex testing for all athletes wanting to compete in the women's category.

The WTA's updated policy is aimed at promoting equal athletic opportunities in women's professional tennis and maintaining fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments. The governing body has consulted with its members and other international sporting organizations, including World Athletics and World Boxing.

The WTA recognizes that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.

The new policy brings an end to the WTA's previous policy, which allowed transgender women to compete on the Tour if they had lowered their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years. There are currently no known transgender women playing on the WTA Tour.

Players will be required to sign a document stating that they could face disciplinary action if they refuse to undergo the testing. The WTA has not specified the penalties for refusing the test.

The updated policy has sparked debate among athletes and sporting organizations, with some arguing that the new requirements unfairly target transgender women. However, the WTA maintains that the policy is necessary to ensure fair competition in women's tennis.

The implementation of the new policy is expected to be closely watched by sporting organizations and human rights groups, who will be monitoring its impact on transgender athletes and the broader sporting community.

Key Facts:

  • The WTA's women's eligibility policy was first introduced in 1975.
  • The SRY gene is part of the Y chromosome responsible for male characteristics.
  • Players will be tested just once in their lifetime for the SRY gene.
  • A negative result is required to compete on the WTA Tour.
  • The WTA recognizes that the policy is a sensitive and complex issue.

A spokesperson for the WTA told us that the organization is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.

The WTA's decision to introduce genetic sex testing has sparked debate among athletes and sporting organizations, with some arguing that the new requirements unfairly target transgender women.

The WTA's updated policy brings an end to its previous policy, which allowed transgender women to compete on the Tour if they had lowered their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years.