Overview
- The WTA has started rolling out a one-time SRY gene screen for every player, a program that began this week at the Cincinnati Open and uses cheek swabs, saliva or blood to check for the SRY marker.
- The association says the test creates a simple, uniform eligibility standard and will be paired with a player engagement and education program to explain procedures and exceptions.
- A coalition led by the Sport & Rights Alliance and ILGA World has demanded the WTA withdraw the rule, saying the requirement is discriminatory and will stigmatize transgender and intersex athletes.
- Medical experts and rights bodies say relying on a single gene is scientifically flawed because sex development is complex and conditions such as androgen insensitivity could misclassify athletes.
- Top players and former champions are split in public remarks with Aryna Sabalenka and Martina Navratilova backing the rule and Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff urging restraint or neutrality, and the policy follows similar SRY rules adopted by the IOC, World Athletics and World Boxing that have already faced criticism.