WTA Implements Genetic Testing for Female Athlete Eligibility in Professional Tennis

The Women’s Tennis Association has introduced a new eligibility requirement mandating that players undergo genetic screening for the SRY gene to compete in women’s professional tournaments. The testing protocol uses a simple cheek swab, blood test, or saliva sample to determine eligibility. The policy takes effect Tuesday.

Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene, which appears on the Y chromosome and influences male-typical sexual development, will receive immediate clearance to compete on the WTA Tour. Those testing positive will undergo additional medical evaluation before receiving approval. The WTA requires players to sign acknowledgment forms recognizing that refusal to test may trigger disciplinary measures.

The governing body stated the updated policy aims to “promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players.” The decision followed member consultation and review of eligibility standards adopted across international women’s sports organizations.

The previous eligibility standard, updated in 2024, allowed transgender-identifying males to compete if they maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for a minimum of two years. Currently, no known male athletes compete on the WTA Tour.

The WTA joins World Athletics, World Boxing, and the International Olympic Committee—which plans sex testing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—in implementing such requirements. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the move “a step in the right direction,” emphasizing the WTA’s commitment to remaining “a women’s association” where only females compete at the elite level.