The WTA is scheduled to begin rolling out it’s new sex testing policy later this month by conducting its first tests during the Cincinnati Open.
The governing body of women’s tennis has taken an unprecedented step by changing its eligibility rules to require every player on the Tour to undergo a one-off sex test to confirm eligibility to play. It can be conducted by either a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample to look for the presence of the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.
These tests are not without criticism, with some experts voicing concerns over their effectiveness in addressing the issue. They are designed to identify the SRY gene but provide no information on how much of an impact it could have on a person’s performance. Professor Andrew Sinclair, who discovered the SRY gene on the human Y chromosome in 1990, has also questioned using this test in sport. It is also possible that a player can be female and fail the test if they have Differences in Sex Development (DSD).
“We had to watch a video and do a whole thing, like a rollout of the education and why we’re doing it,” Jessica Pegula told reporters in Toronto when asked about the implementation of the tests.
“It wasn’t just kind of laid on us, like, you have to do this. There was a lot of education and stuff in the background of all the stuff the players have had to do to learn about it.
“I think so far no one’s really said anything, and I think it’s more just the Tour making a decision, updating it, and it kind of is what it is.”
Coco Gauff says some players weren’t told about the WTA’s policy change until a press release was issued. The old rule was that a transgender woman could play on the Tour as long as their testosterone levels had been below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years. There are currently no known transgender players in women’s tennis, and there have been very few historically.
“I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity towards the trans community, which I’m not really a big fan of,” said Gauff.
“But I also understand the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that.
“I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports. But I do not like the attack that it is creating.
“People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community.”
There has been an extensive debate surrounding transgender athletes in female sports and the physical advantages they could have, especially in America where the WTA headquarters are based. Both World Athletics and World Boxing are also conducting SRY testing, with the 2028 Olympic Games also set to do so.
“For me, I won’t say it’s unnecessary, but I think that without these tests it is also fine,” Elena Rybakina commented.
“But if we need to do it, we will do it.”
Many players appear to support SRY testing, with Belinda Bencic saying she ‘completely stands behind the decision.’ Although Taylor Townsend points out the irony in conducting these tests on players such as her, who have gone through pregnancy.
“I’ve been on Tour for 15 years, and I’ve never been asked to do this. I’ve conceived a child, birthed a child, like this is crazy,” said Townsend.
“There are politics that happen within the sport that affect us as players. And so, for me, I just am doing everything that I can to get all the information I can.”
In a statement issued in July, the WTA describes the issue as ‘sensitive and complex’. They have pledged to treat all players ‘with dignity and implement the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.’
