The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is set to implement a new policy requiring all players to undergo genetic sex testing to compete on the WTA Tour. This significant change will take effect on Tuesday, mandating players to provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene, associated with male characteristics.

Key aspects of the new policy include:

• Testing will occur only once in a player’s lifetime.
• A negative result is necessary to allow participation in the Tour.
• Players who test positive will undergo further medical assessments before being permitted to compete.
• Players must sign a document acknowledging potential disciplinary action for refusing the test.

Previously, the WTA's policy, updated in 2024, permitted transgender women to compete if their testosterone levels were maintained below 2.5 nmol/L for two years. Currently, there are no known transgender women playing on the WTA Tour.

The WTA states that this eligibility policy aims to promote equal athletic opportunities in women's professional tennis and ensure fair competition. The eligibility policy, first introduced in 1975, has seen periodic reviews to adapt to changes in international sport.

The governing body emphasized its commitment to treating all players with dignity while implementing this policy thoughtfully. This announcement follows similar regulations from World Athletics, which will require athletes to take a one-time gene test to compete in the female category starting in September 2025.