The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced yesterday (Sunday) following an update to its eligibility policy for player participation in tournaments that it will require players to undergo a one-time genetic test to prove their eligibility to participate in the association's tournaments.

The association said the test will be conducted once in a lifetime to detect the SRY gene, which helps determine biological sex, and can be done via a cheek swab or blood test, with the new policy set to take effect tomorrow (Tuesday).

The association's previous policy allowed transgender women to participate if they declared their sex as female and maintained a low level of testosterone for two years prior to competition.

There are currently no transgender players playing professionally.

A spokesperson for the association told Reuters: 'Eligibility for participation in WTA tournaments will be confirmed through a mandatory one-time screening process to detect the SRY gene. Player screening will begin in 2026, with all appropriate confidentiality and data protection safeguards in place, alongside a comprehensive player engagement program. The association recognizes that this is a sensitive and complex issue, and it is committed to treating all players equally with dignity and implementing this policy in a respectful and thoughtful manner.'

Transgender player Renée Richards participated in WTA tournaments from 1977 to 1981 before coaching tennis legend and American gay rights pioneer Martina Navratilova.

Navratilova, winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, has been one of the most vocal critics of including transgender athletes, while world number one Aryna Sabalenka said last year that it would be unfair for women to face transgender players.

Others, like Billie Jean King, winner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles and victor in the original 'Battle of the Sexes' match in 1973, view the exclusion of transgender individuals as discrimination.

Several sports federations, including World Athletics and the International Boxing Association, have introduced similar genetic testing in the past few years.

Last March, the International Olympic Committee said that athletes who were biologically female at birth and had their sex determined through a one-time lifetime test can compete in women's events at the Olympic Games.

Transgender rights advocacy groups say excluding transgender athletes amounts to discrimination.

Opponents of transgender participation say that going through male puberty gives them a musculoskeletal advantage that gender transition does not reduce.