In July 2026, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced an update to its eligibility criteria, requiring a mandatory, one-time genetic test for the SRY gene for all players.
The policy shift sparked a debate across the sporting world in no time, drawing mixed reactions from current and former players alike. When asked about the new testing mandate at the Canadian Open, Coco Gauff had a balanced response.
Tennis Community Weighs In After Coco Gauff Addresses WTA’s New Genetic Testing Policy
The updated method of biological sex testing replaced a previous policy that permitted transgender women to compete if they maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for two years.
Under the new mandate, a positive test for the SRY gene, a DNA segment typically found on the Y chromosome, will need further medical assessment, and refusing a test can result in disciplinary action.
In a recent presser, Gauff acknowledged the rationale behind the WTA’s decision, stating, “I understand the need to [account for] the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that.”
However, she also stressed that she doesn’t support people trying to make it an attack against the trans community. “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.” Ultimately, Gauff concluded that she supports both the trans community and the fairness in women’s sports.
Gauff’s take drew several reactions from the tennis community.
Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova supported Gauff’s comments. Navratilova is one of the most vocal advocates for genetic testing, dismissing claims that the test is transphobic.
Very well put. Well done, Coco https://t.co/8PhqL6VxQP
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 6, 2026
Sports journalist and analyst Jon Wertheim praised her on X, noting, “Athletes cannot win weighing in on this topic… Somehow, Coco won…. Some will take issue with where she ultimately lands. That’s fine. But this is what civility, empathy and reason sounds like.”
Athletes cannot win weighing in on this topic… Somehow, Coco won…. Some will take issue with where she ultimately lands. That’s fine. But this is what civility, empathy and reason sounds like. https://t.co/jWGrIsnhC5
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) August 6, 2026
Journalist Kirsten Fleming argued that Gauff had essentially reiterated the stance of WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, “just with way more words.” Cunningham recently made headlines after saying she wanted to “protect young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” while clarifying that her stance was not rooted in hate against transgender women. “I have never once said that I hated the trans community. Like I said, I think there’s space for everyone.”
Bottom line, she said the same thing as Sophie Cunningham just with way more words. https://t.co/36xuYJ18zk
— Kirsten Fleming (@KirFlem) August 6, 2026
Former NBC Sports columnist Jason Page also took to X to applaud Gauff. “Coco Gauff could not handle this with more grace and character,” he wrote, calling it “maturity beyond her years.”
Jennifer Sey, founder & CEO of XX-XY Athletics, criticized Gauff’s stance. “I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too.” Translation: I don’t want men in women’s sports but I’m scared to say it outright so I’m kowtowing to the gender people. Pick a lane Coco,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, within the tennis ecosystem, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka supported the policy. “Obviously, biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not be really fair for a woman to compete against a biological man,” Sabalenka stated, adding that she is “happy” to take the test to maintain fairness. However, 12-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King believes such policies are discriminatory against transgender athletes.
