Aryna Sabalenka, currently the top-ranked women's player in the WTA, has publicly expressed support for a one-time biological test to determine a player's sex. Her comments follow statements by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who called for the exclusion of 'biologically male' athletes from women's sports. Sabalenka, a vocal advocate for fair competition, has endorsed the WTA's decision to introduce biological testing as a way to protect the integrity of women's tennis.
Prioritizing fairness in sports
Sabalenka is clear in her belief that biological men should not compete against women in women's sports. She argues that, due to physical differences, it is inherently unfair for a woman to face a biological man. In a direct statement, she said, 'I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour. It’s obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not be really fair for the woman to compete against a biological man.'
She also supports the WTA's decision to implement biological testing, acknowledging that the process may take time. 'I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and, yeah, I support it. If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that; it’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way,' Sabalenka stated.
Distinguishing between trans women and biological men
It is important to differentiate between trans women and biological men, particularly in the context of sports. While hormone replacement therapy can significantly alter a person's physical makeup, it is not guaranteed that the results will be identical to those of a biological woman. Sabalenka believes the WTA is taking proactive steps to address this distinction and prevent potential issues in the future.
In December 2025, Sabalenka played an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, a male professional tennis player. She lost the match 6-3, 6-3, a result that, in her view, highlights the differences that can exist in competitive play between men and women. She sees such matches as a demonstration of why maintaining fair competition is so important.
Currently, there are no real-world instances of trans athletes dominating women's sports due to their biological advantages. However, the WTA is preparing for any future scenarios where such an issue might arise. While the intention is to ensure fairness, the approach could lead to reduced inclusivity for trans athletes in women's sports around the world.
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. The one-off mandatory gene-testing will be a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The policy defines 'biological male' as an individual who has an SRY gene and therefore has or previously had testes or streak testes; and 'biological female' as an individual who has no SRY gene and therefore has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries. The WTA's eligibility policy clarifies that it is not intended to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person.
Yahoo Sports is the source for this story.