Aryna Sabalenka speaks out on tennis’ new genetic testing policy as trans athlete debate rages
The WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she wants to keep fairness in sport while supporting the Tour’s new one-time gene testing policy.
During a Friday press conference at the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto, a reporter asked Sabalenka what she thinks about the WTA’s mandatory testing for all players, effective July 21 — and the WTA becoming the first professional sports league to go in that direction.
“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka said. “It’s obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against biological man.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at a press conference ahead of her next match for the Women’s Singles Round of 64 match at the WTA Masters 1000 National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Leonardo Ramirez/Eyepix Group/Shutterstock
“I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and, yeah, I support it. But for me, I’m focusing on myself, on my goals, you know, whatever it takes. If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that; it’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.”
The WTA updated its eligibility policy last month, stating that all players will be tested for the SRY gene, a type of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome.
It comes amid heated debates of transgendered athletes’ participation in sports.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham faced scrutiny after she voiced support for barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports in a recent ESPN article, which led to an uptick in anti-trans athlete protests at Fever games.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts against Naomi Osaka of Japan during their Ladies’ Singles fourth round match at The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Sunday, July 5. Getty Images
“In this policy, ‘biological male’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender
identity, has an SRY gene and therefore has or previously had testes or streak testes; and
‘biological female’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has
no SRY gene and therefore has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries,” the WTA’s eligibility policy says.
“This policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, and between biological
females and biological males, solely to the extent necessary to ensure that the policy is clear and
has its intended effect. There is no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the
dignity of any person.”
The one-off mandatory gene-testing will be a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sabalenka will face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the Round of 64 Tuesday at the 2026 National Bank Open.
The Belarusian is fresh off a fourth-round loss to Japan’s Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon 2026.
Sabalenka was defeated in straight sets by Osaka, 6-2, 7-6 (2).
