The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has made one of its most widely discussed decisions in recent years. From now on, every athlete wishing to compete on the professional women's tour must undergo genetic testing. The new policy takes effect immediately and applies to all players without exception. This is not a recurring screening process but a one-time test that will determine a player's eligibility to compete in the women's category.

Here's what has changed, why the WTA introduced the new rules, and what the decision could mean going forward.

What Will Players Be Tested For?

The new procedure is medically straightforward. Players will undergo a one-time test for the presence of the SRY gene, either through a cheek swab or a blood test. The presence—or absence—of this gene will become the key criterion for eligibility. The SRY gene is located on the Y chromosome and plays a central role in the development of the male biological sex. It triggers the formation of testes during early embryonic development.

Under the WTA's new policy, the presence of the SRY gene is defined as evidence of a biological male, while its absence is considered evidence of a biological female.

Why Did the WTA Change Its Rules?

The association's official explanation is concise:

To preserve the integrity of women's professional tennis and ensure fair competition for all female athletes.

Protecting competitive fairness is presented as the primary motivation behind the changes.

At the same time, the WTA emphasizes that the issue remains highly sensitive. The policy explicitly states that it concerns only eligibility to compete in the women's category and is not intended to question anyone's gender identity or personal dignity. The association says it intends to implement the new requirements with respect and sensitivity.

What Were the Previous Rules?

Until now, the WTA operated under a different eligibility framework. Rules adopted in 2024 allowed transgender women and non-binary athletes to compete in the women's tour provided they met two conditions:

• they officially declared their gender identity as female or non-binary;
• their blood testosterone level remained below 2.5 nmol/L for at least two years before competition and throughout tournament participation.

Those criteria are no longer sufficient. Under the updated policy, genetic testing becomes the primary eligibility standard.

Are There Any Transgender Players Currently on the WTA Tour?

No.

According to the WTA, there are currently no active transgender players competing on the professional women's tour. As a result, the new policy is not expected to affect the field for upcoming tournaments. Instead, the association says it is introducing the rule now to standardize its eligibility framework and align it with evolving international sporting regulations.

The WTA Is Not the First

In this respect, tennis is following a broader trend across international sport. World Athletics became the first major international federation to introduce a comparable system last year. More recently, the International Olympic Committee announced that similar genetic testing will be used to determine eligibility for the women's category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The WTA has now joined that movement. In practice, the world's leading sports governing bodies are gradually moving toward a common approach for defining eligibility in women's competition.

Why Is the Decision So Controversial?

Nearly every sport that has introduced similar policies has sparked significant public debate. British LGBTQ+ rights organization Stonewall previously criticized the IOC's proposed genetic testing policy, arguing that such measures deepen social divisions and further polarize an already sensitive discussion.

At the same time, there are prominent voices supporting the changes. The White House has publicly backed the introduction of genetic testing for Olympic eligibility. Earlier this year, the U.S. administration also called on FIFA to adopt regulations similar to those being implemented for the Olympic Games.

What Does This Mean for Tennis?

From a practical standpoint, the immediate impact is likely to be minimal. Since there are currently no active transgender athletes competing on the WTA Tour, tournament fields and competitive results are not expected to change. The symbolic significance, however, is substantial.

Women's tennis has become another major sport to move away from testosterone-based eligibility standards in favor of a genetic criterion. It is likely that other international federations will adopt similar policies in the coming years. The WTA is not breaking new ground—it is following a broader direction that is gradually reshaping eligibility rules across international sport.