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The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) requires all players to undergo genetic gender testing to compete on the WTA Tour.
The latest version of its women’s eligibility policy, which will take effect on Tuesday, requires players to provide a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes the development of male characteristics.
Players will be tested only once in their lifetime and only a negative result, not showing the presence of the gene, will allow them to compete on tour.
If they test positive, the players will face further medical evaluation before being allowed to play.
The new policy requires players to sign a document stating that they face disciplinary action if they refuse the test.
The WTA’s previous policy, last updated in 2024, allowed transgender women to compete on tour if they had continuously lowered their testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for the previous two years.
There are no known transgender women currently playing on the WTA Tour.
“The WTA’s Women’s Eligibility Policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunity in women’s professional tennis and to maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments,” the governing body said.
“Since it was first introduced in 1975, the Eligibility Policy has undergone periodic reviews in the light of developments in the international game.
“Following the most recent review, which included consultation with WTA members and rising standards in the women’s game, the WTA Board has approved an updated WTA Women’s Eligibility Policy starting in 2026 based on biological sex.”
It added: “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 policy change comes a year after World Athletics announced new regulations – to be implemented in September 2025 – requiring athletes wishing to compete in the women’s division to compete in world rankings. Take a one-time gene test.
World Boxing The SRY also approved the use of the test in May 2025 when it introduced mandatory sex testing for all athletes wishing to compete in the women’s category.
