The Women’s Tennis Association announced the implementation of mandatory gene testing for all players competing on the women’s professional circuit. The new policy, which took effect immediately, requires players to undergo screening for the SRY gene, a DNA segment typically located on the Y chromosome that is associated with male sex development and the presence of testes.
The WTA stated that the eligibility requirement was adopted to preserve competitive integrity and ensure fair conditions for all participants. The organization defined “biological male” as an individual carrying the SRY gene, regardless of legal sex or gender identity, while “biological female” refers to those without the gene. The association emphasized that the policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, and that there is no intention to disrespect or question anyone’s gender identity or personal dignity.
The WTA’s adoption of the testing requirement aligns it with the International Olympic Committee’s eligibility policy introduced earlier this year, which was developed in response to an executive order on sports. Other governing bodies, including those overseeing track and field, skiing, and boxing, have already implemented similar mandatory gender screening protocols.
The mandatory testing approach has drawn criticism from human rights experts and advocacy organizations, though the exact number of transgender athletes competing at the Olympic level remained unclear at the time of the announcement.