The WTA’s newly introduced one-time gene testing policy, mandatory for players to remain eligible to compete on the Tour, has sparked widespread debate. After Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff has also weighed on the controversial measure. The American has condemned the hate received by the transgender community while backing the WTA.
Coco Gauff Clarifies Her Position on the WTA Gene Testing
The WTA introduced its mandatory sex testing policy in July, requiring all players to submit a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample that must test negative for the SRY gene. The measure is intended to restrict eligibility for women’s tennis to biological females. While the updated policy has drawn criticism from sections of the online tennis community, several WTA players have acknowledged its importance, arguing that it is necessary to protect women’s sport.
Ahead of her 2026 Canadian Open campaign, World No. 1 Sabalenka, who has been vocal about the exclusion of transgender athletes from women’s tennis, firmly backed the initiative. Meanwhile, Gauff addressed the issue during her press conference, saying:
“I know it’s been something that’s been talked about for awhile. But I’ve talked to a couple other players, and a lot of them didn’t find out until the press release. So I do think that’s something that could have been more transparent amongst players across the tour.”
Overall, Gauff backed the WTA’s decision but voiced concern over the hostility the policy has fueled toward the transgender community. “I understand the reasoning behind it. I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity toward the trans community, which I’m not really a big fan of, but I also understand the need to, I guess, the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that.”
“I think it’s a conversation that is very nuanced. I need to have a nuanced answer. So, I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports. But I also do not like the attack that it is creating. People who don’t really care but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community. So I’m not really a big fan of that either,” she added.
“So I don’t really know how to answer this question in a way that people aren’t going to spin it. But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need for creating fairness in sport too,” Coco Gauff clarified.
MORE: ‘It’s Really Important’ – Aryna Sabalenka Firmly Backs WTA’s Mandatory Gene Test After Controversy
As for her on-court campaign, Coco Gauff has advanced to the third round of the Canadian Open. After receiving a first-round bye, she defeated fellow American Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5 in the second round on August 5. Gauff will next take on 29th seed Maria Sakkari in a challenging third-round clash, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake.
