The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a new eligibility policy requiring all players competing on the women’s tour to undergo a one-time genetic sex screening as part of their continued eligibility to compete.
Under the policy, which takes effect from July 1, 2026, players must complete a one-time test that screens for the SRY gene, a genetic marker commonly associated with biological sex. The screening can be carried out using either a cheek swab or a blood sample.
According to the WTA, players who return a negative SRY gene result will remain eligible to compete in WTA events.
If a player tests positive for the SRY gene, they will be provisionally deemed ineligible while additional medical assessments are conducted to determine their eligibility under the organisation’s regulations.
The WTA also stated that players who refuse to undergo the mandatory screening may face disciplinary action, including suspension from competition. The organisation said the testing programme will be conducted under strict confidentiality and privacy safeguards, alongside a player education and engagement programme.
The updated policy replaces the WTA’s previous eligibility rules, which allowed transgender women to compete after declaring a female gender identity and maintaining testosterone below the required threshold for a specified period. The WTA said the change aligns its regulations more closely with policies recently adopted by other international sporting bodies.