The world’s top-ranked player Arina Sabalenka has expressed her support for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) policy on mandatory genetic testing, asserting that it will help preserve the integrity of women’s competitions.
“I believe it is very important to maintain integrity in our tour,” Sabalenka said on Monday. “Obviously, biologically, men are much stronger than women, so I think it would not be entirely fair for a woman to compete against a person of biological male sex.”
“I think they needed some time to make this decision, and I support it. If they want to test all of us, I will gladly do it; it is completely fair, so let it be,” she added.
WTA introduces mandatory genetic testing
In July 2026, the WTA implemented a one-time mandatory genetic test for all players. Under the new protocol, athletes will be tested for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome. The test can be conducted using a cheek swab or a blood sample.
The policy also requires players to sign a document acknowledging that refusal to undergo testing may lead to disciplinary action. Previous WTA regulations allowed transgender women to compete as long as their testosterone levels remained below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years. Currently, there are no known transgender athletes participating on the WTA tour.
Sabalenka has held the top ranking in the world for 92 consecutive weeks, giving her opinion considerable influence. In 2025, she also took part in a modern version of the “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai, where she lost to Australian Nick Kyrgios. Although the match aimed to promote tennis, it faced criticism.
Similar rules have been introduced by other sports federations
World Boxing enacted a similar policy in May 2025 following extended disputes regarding the gold medalist of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Imane Khelif. In September 2025, World Athletics adopted comparable regulations.
At the beginning of 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also revised its recommendations, a decision anticipated to have the broadest impact on international sports.
Source: Deutsche Welle
