WTA to require genetic sex testing for all players

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that all players will be required to undergo genetic sex testing in order to compete on the WTA Tour. The new policy, effective from 2026, will require players to provide a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop. Players will be tested once in their lifetime, and only a negative result—showing no presence of the gene—will permit them to play. If a player tests positive, they will face further medical assessment before being allowed to compete. Refusing to take the test could lead to disciplinary action.

The previous WTA policy, last updated in 2024, allowed transgender women to compete if they had suppressed their testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least two years. There are no known transgender women currently playing on the WTA Tour.

The WTA stated that the policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities and maintain fair competition. The governing body acknowledged that this is a sensitive and complex issue and committed to treating all players with dignity.

This change comes a year after World Athletics introduced similar regulations in September 2025, requiring female category athletes to undergo a one-time genetic test. World Boxing also approved the SRY test in May 2025, mandating sex testing for all athletes in the women's category.