Arabic version: رابطة التنس النسائية تعتمد سياسة للفحص الجيني للجنس

According to BBC News, the Women’s Tennis Association will require players to undergo genetic sex testing to compete on the WTA Tour. The updated women’s eligibility policy is due to take effect on Tuesday and will require players to provide a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample.

The samples will be tested 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. Only a negative result, showing no presence of the gene, will permit a player to compete on the Tour.

Players who test positive will face further medical assessment before being allowed to play. The policy also requires players to sign a document stating that they could face disciplinary action if they refuse testing.

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

The governing body said its policy is intended to promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition. It said the WTA board approved an updated policy beginning in 2026 based on biological sex following a review that included consultation with WTA members and consideration of evolving standards across women’s sport. World Athletics introduced a one-time gene test for athletes in the female category for world ranking competitions in September 2025, while World Boxing approved use of the SRY test in May 2025.