WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women’s tennis tour

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Jessica Pegula of the U.S returns the ball as she plays against Czech Republic's Linda Noskova during the final match at the WTA 500 Berlin Open tennis tournament at the Steffi Graf Stadium, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, June 21, 2026. Photo by: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo

(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) – The Women’s Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory gene testing for all players effective from Tuesday – a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The WTA updated its women’s eligibility policy to include gender screening “based on biological sex” this week “to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players.”

The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Games.

The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Games.

“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.”

“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.”

 

 

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