During the Canadian Open in Toronto, 22-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff spoke out in favor of the trans community. She also supported the idea of maintaining fairness in women’s tennis. Gauff, one of the sport’s most prominent athletes, was questioned about the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) recent decision. The decision requires genetic sex testing for all players.
Balancing Support and Concerns
As a two-time Grand Slam winner, Gauff acknowledged the rationale behind the WTA’s new policy and recognized the growing tensions it has stirred. She described the issue as complex, noting the growing divide between the push for fairness in sport and the impact it can have on the trans community. She expressed concern about how the ongoing debate has led to hostility and misunderstanding.
Gauff highlighted that the controversy is often exploited by people who do not genuinely care about the matter. These individuals use it as an excuse to target transgender people. While she made it clear she stands firmly with the trans community, she also affirmed the need to protect fairness in women’s sports. She admitted it is difficult to express her views without being misunderstood or misrepresented.
The WTA has announced that all players will need to undergo mandatory genetic sex testing, beginning in 2026. The test screens for the SRY gene, a biological marker for determining sex. Players can choose either a blood test or a cheek swab to complete the process. This screening will be done once and will be a prerequisite for eligibility to compete in WTA events.
Although there are no known transgender women playing professionally in tennis, the WTA has justified the new policy. The policy aims to maintain fairness while treating all athletes with respect and dignity. The organization emphasized its dedication to ensuring balanced competition. It does so by addressing biological factors that could affect outcomes.
Notably, top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka voiced her support for the policy earlier this week, echoing the WTA’s stance. She argued that allowing women to compete against biological men could lead to unfair outcomes. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of preserving a level playing field for female athletes. The WTA’s ruling is aligned with the policy instituted for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles that bans transgender athletes.
Coco Gauff addressed the WTA’s policy after her second-round win against fellow American Kayla Day on Wednesday, Aug. 5. She acknowledged the need for fair competition, while emphasizing the importance of treating the trans community with respect. Gauff, who is ranked fourth in the world, stated that the issue is nuanced and requires a nuanced answer. "I don’t really know how to answer this question in a way that people aren’t gonna spin it," Gauff said. "But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport, too."
Gauff also expressed surprise at how some of her fellow competitors were informed about the policy. "I’ve talked to a couple other players, and a lot of them didn’t find out until the press release," she said. "So I do think that's something that could've been more transparent amongst players across the tour."
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, a member of the WTA Players' Council, confirmed that the WTA will begin testing players at the upcoming Cincinnati Open, which runs from Aug. 8 to Aug. 23. Pegula said the WTA ensured that players were educated about the policy. "I don’t really have any pushback on it," she said. "I think that we’ll see, now that we’re here in Toronto, a bigger tournament, and going into Cincy when the testing starts, we'll see if there's any more feedback."
