The Women’s Tennis Association has announced the implementation of compulsory genetic testing for all players starting this Tuesday, as a prerequisite for participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The WTA has revised its eligibility criteria for female athletes to include gender verification based on biological sex, aiming to uphold the integrity of women’s professional tennis and ensure equitable competition standards. This move aligns the organization with the eligibility regulations set forth by the International Olympic Committee earlier this year, in accordance with an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump in anticipation of the 2028 Games.
The WTA’s decision to enforce mandatory gene testing follows the IOC’s directive for Olympic sports organizations to adhere to similar protocols, although the extent of transgender female athletes competing at the Olympic level remains uncertain. The screening process will involve testing for the SRY gene, a genetic marker typically present on the Y chromosome responsible for male sex development and indicative of the presence of testes.
Under the new policy, a “biological male” is defined as an individual possessing the SRY gene, regardless of legal sex or gender identity, while a “biological female” refers to an individual lacking the SRY gene and having ovaries. The WTA emphasizes that the policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, emphasizing that it is not intended to undermine or question the gender identity or dignity of any individual.
This mandatory gender verification procedure, already implemented by governing bodies in track and field, skiing, and boxing, has faced criticism from human rights advocates and activist organizations.