The conversation surrounding WTA’s updated gene testing policy has been heating up. Recently, 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert weighed in on the discussion via X. Instead of justifying a side, Evert offered a nuanced perspective. According to her, when it comes to making rules and opinions, it would be best to listen to the athletes who have actually lived the experience.
While acknowledging the vocal advocacy of her longtime rival and close friend, Martina Navratilova, alongside Olympic gold-medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead, she pointed to two transgender athletes: Renée Richards or Caitlyn Jenner.
Chris Evert Defends Martina Navratilova’s Stance Amid WTA Gene Testing Policy Debate
The WTA updated its eligibility policy in July, requiring all players to take a one-time SRY gene test, which replaces older testosterone-level guidelines. The test, done with a blood sample or cheek swab, checks for the presence of a gene on the Y chromosome associated with typical male sex development.
Both Navratilova and Hogshead have been staunch defenders of maintaining biological sex categories in women’s sports. It is a position they adopted early on, earning both support from current and former players and criticism from those who argue that the policy infringes on privacy and discriminates against transgender athletes.
“Martina Navratilova and Nancy Hogshead WERE the first athletes to back it and received a lot of criticism. It’s good to hear current athletes weigh in,” Evert wrote on X.
Evert also added her stance, urging the public to ask two of the prominent transgender athletes in history. “My opinion? Ask Renée Richards or Caitlyn Jenner their opinion… They lived it, and I would certainly respect their opinion…”
Martina Navratilova and Nancy Hogshead WERE the first athletes to back it and received a lot of criticism. It’s good to hear current athletes weigh in. My opinion? Ask Renee Richards or Caitlyn Jenner their opinion… They lived it, and I would certainly respect their opinion…… https://t.co/Hx0pCny1I2
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) August 7, 2026
This reference carries some historical weight. Richards famously sued the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in 1977 for the right to compete in the US Open as a woman after undergoing sex reassignment surgery, ultimately winning her case. She also competed on the professional circuit, playing in the 1977 US Open.
More notably, Richards also coached Navratilova in the 1980s. Yet, decades later, in Richards’ biography, it has been mentioned that she no longer believes transgender women should compete in women’s sports because of the reality of lingering physiological advantages.
Similarly, Jenner, who won the 1976 Olympic decathlon gold medal prior to her transition, has opposed transgender women competing alongside biological females, arguing it compromises the fairness of the competition.
Among the current players, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has stated that ‘it’s not fair on women to face basically biological men.’ Meanwhile, Coco Gauff stood with a balanced take supporting fair competition for biological women while showing empathy for the transgender community.
