Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, addressed the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports, expressing concerns over the fairness of facing “biological men” in professional tennis.
The current WTA Tour Gender Participation Policy allows transgender women to compete if they have identified as female for at least four years, have reduced testosterone levels, and consent to testing. These criteria can be adjusted by the WTA Medical Manager on an individual basis.
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, released on Tuesday, four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka remarked: “It’s a complex issue. I have no personal objections against them.
“However, I believe they still possess a significant advantage over women, and it’s not fair for women to compete against essentially biological men,” said the Belarusian, who was promoting her “battle of the sexes” match with Nick Kyrgios on December 28.
“It’s unfair. A woman dedicates her life to reaching her peak and then must face a man, who is biologically stronger. I don’t support such scenarios in sports.”
The WTA has yet to respond to a request for comment via email.
Nick Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, echoed Sabalenka’s sentiments, stating: “She articulated the issue perfectly.”
In recent years, there have been no transgender players participating in professional tennis.
Transgender player Renee Richards played on the women’s professional circuit from 1977 to 1981, later coaching tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova, who has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, has been a vocal critic of allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Contrarily, figures like Billie Jean King, a 12-time Grand Slam singles champion and winner of the original 1973 “battle of the sexes,” view the exclusion of transgender athletes as discriminatory.
In 2024, Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association revised rules to prohibit transgender women from participating in national and inter-club female competitions.
Several sports federations have recently initiated studies or amended rules to prevent those who have experienced male puberty from competing in female categories at elite levels.
Transgender advocacy organizations argue that excluding trans athletes constitutes discrimination.
Opponents of transgender inclusion in women’s sports claim that male puberty provides athletes with an enduring musculoskeletal advantage that transition cannot eliminate.
