World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has publicly backed the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) new mandatory genetic testing policy, adding one of the biggest voices in women’s tennis to an issue that continues to spark debate across global sport. Her comments came during the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto/Montreal as discussions surrounding transgender athlete eligibility remain at the forefront of international sports governance.
The policy itself represents one of the most significant eligibility changes in recent WTA history. While supporters argue it protects competitive fairness in women’s tennis, critics have questioned the use of genetic screening and its implications for privacy and athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).
Read next: Eligibility rules in women’s sports have become a growing topic of discussion across multiple leagues, with athletes increasingly weighing in on where they believe fairness should be drawn. Our coverage of Caitlin Clark and the transgender athlete debate following Sophie Cunningham’s comments explores another high-profile conversation surrounding the future of women’s competition.
Aryna Sabalenka says fairness must remain at the heart of women’s tennis
Speaking to reporters ahead of the North American hard-court swing, Sabalenka made it clear she supports the WTA’s decision, saying fairness should remain the priority in professional women’s tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka said: “I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour. It’s obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against biological man.”
The Belarusian star, who competes as a neutral athlete and is a multiple Grand Slam champion, added that she believes the governing body took time before reaching its conclusion.
Aryna Sabalenka added: “If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that; it’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.”
Despite the attention surrounding the issue, Sabalenka emphasized that her primary focus remains her own competitive goals as she prepares for the remainder of the hard-court season following her fourth-round exit at Wimbledon 2026.
Also worth reading: Serena Williams has also recently found herself at the center of widespread public discussion, albeit for very different reasons. Our article on Serena Williams denying skin bleaching and cosmetic surgery rumors looks at how one of tennis’ biggest icons responded to speculation surrounding her appearance.
What changed in the WTA’s new eligibility policy?
The WTA’s updated Women’s Eligibility Policy officially came into effect on July 21, 2026, replacing its previous framework that largely relied on testosterone suppression requirements for transgender women.
Under the new rules, every player wishing to compete in WTA tournaments must complete a one-time screening for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development and is associated with the presence of testes.
Players may complete the screening through:
- Cheek swab
- Blood sample
- Saliva sample
According to the policy:
- A negative SRY result generally confirms lifelong eligibility, unless later evidence raises questions about the original finding.
- A positive result requires additional medical assessment before eligibility is determined.
- Players who can demonstrate conditions such as complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) or similar differences of sex development that meant they never experienced the physiological effects of male mini-puberty or adolescent puberty may still qualify to compete.
- Refusing testing or failing to cooperate can result in disciplinary action, including ineligibility.
- The WTA will cover all testing costs and states that the process will be handled confidentially and respectfully.
The organization has also stressed that there is:
“no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person.”
The policy defines:
- “Biological male” as an individual who, regardless of legal sex or gender identity, has an SRY gene (and therefore has or previously had testes or streak testes).
- “Biological female” as an individual without an SRY gene (who has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries).
The stated purpose is to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis while maintaining fair competition.
Continue reading: The debate over women’s sports extends well beyond tennis, with similar questions emerging across other professional leagues. Our report on Caitlin Clark and the transgender athlete debate sparked by Sophie Cunningham’s remarks examines how the conversation has unfolded in the WNBA.
Timeline: How the policy evolved
| Date | Event | Official Detail |
| Around 2024 | Previous WTA policy | Transgender women could compete after declaring a female gender identity and maintaining testosterone below the required threshold (previously around 2.5 nmol/L continuously for two years, with variations in earlier versions), alongside monitoring requirements. |
| December 2025 | Sabalenka discusses the issue with Piers Morgan | She said she had “nothing to do against them” but believed transgender women retained a “huge advantage” and that it was “not fair on women to face basically biological men,” while highlighting the lifelong dedication of female athletes. |
| July 21, 2026 | New WTA eligibility policy begins | Mandatory one-time SRY gene testing officially takes effect. |
| Early August 2026 | National Bank Open | Sabalenka publicly supports the policy during her tournament press conference. |
Related story: Discussions around athlete eligibility have continued to evolve as governing bodies introduce new policies and public figures respond to them. Our coverage of Caitlin Clark and the transgender athlete debate following Sophie Cunningham’s comments provides additional context on another major sports controversy drawing widespread attention.
A wider debate beyond tennis
The WTA’s updated rules arrive as governing bodies across several sports continue reviewing eligibility policies for women’s competition.
The approach aligns with measures introduced by World Athletics, World Boxing, and broader eligibility frameworks connected with the International Olympic Committee ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
At present, there are no known transgender women competing on the current professional WTA Tour or at the highest levels of professional tennis. The most widely recognized historical example remains Renée Richards, who competed following a court ruling during the 1970s.
Coverage surrounding Sabalenka’s remarks also noted comparisons with WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who has similarly expressed support for restricting women’s categories to biological females, although the two discussions involve different sports and governing bodies.
Reports indicate that no active WTA players have publicly criticized the new policy.
Meanwhile, critics of genetic screening—including some human rights experts, activists, and scientists—have raised concerns regarding privacy, testing sensitivity, and the potential impact on athletes with differences of sex development. Supporters, however, argue that biological differences in strength, muscle mass, and other physiological factors justify maintaining sex-based competition categories.
Elsewhere: Major debates in sport often spill over into broader public conversations involving athletes, governing bodies, and fans alike. Our story on Caitlin Clark and the transgender athlete debate following Sophie Cunningham’s comments explores another example of how these discussions continue to shape women’s sports.
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka and the WTA?
As one of the sport’s biggest stars, Sabalenka’s endorsement gives added visibility to a policy that is likely to remain part of broader conversations surrounding fairness and eligibility in elite women’s sport.
For now, the WTA’s focus is on implementing the policy while maintaining confidentiality and medical review procedures where necessary. Sabalenka, meanwhile, continues her preparations for the North American hard-court season with her attention firmly fixed on adding more titles to an already decorated career.
You may also like: While Aryna Sabalenka remains focused on her upcoming tournaments, other tennis legends have recently made headlines away from the court. Our article on Serena Williams responding to rumors about skin bleaching and cosmetic surgery covers another story that generated significant conversation among tennis fans.
Disclaimer
This article is based on thorough research and verified reporting from the following sources: New York Post (August 4, 2026), Sports Illustrated / OnSI Serve, Fox News / OutKick, BBC Sport (July 20, 2026), The Athletic / New York Times, Sky Sports, Express.co.uk, DW.com, official WTA Women’s Eligibility Policy documents and statements, along with consistent reporting from MARCA, EssentiallySports, NewsBytes, and other corroborating outlets.
Key source links:
On Sabalenka’s comments (August 2026):
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