Sabalenka Endorses WTA Genetic Testing as Fair, Citing Biological Differences
TORONTO — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has thrown her support behind the WTA’s new mandatory genetic testing policy, saying it is essential to preserve fairness in women’s tennis. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the National Bank Open in Toronto, the Belarusian star said she is “happy” to undergo the testing and believes biological males should not compete against women.
“I think it's really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka said. “It's obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against biological man.”
The WTA introduced a one-time, mandatory genetic test for all players effective July 21, making it the first professional sports league to adopt such a policy. The test screens for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome. Sabalenka’s comments come as the tour prepares for the North American hard-court swing, with the top seed opening her Toronto campaign against qualifier Moyuka Uchijima on Tuesday.
Context: A Growing Debate in Women’s Sports
The WTA’s decision to implement genetic testing marks a significant shift in the ongoing debate over transgender participation in women’s sports. While the policy stops short of banning transgender athletes outright, it sets a precedent that could influence other leagues worldwide. Sabalenka’s remarks echo those of Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham, who recently called for excluding “biologically male” athletes from the WNBA.
Sabalenka, who has been openly supportive of the WTA’s stance, emphasized that the testing is about protecting the integrity of the competition. “I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and, yeah, I support it,” she said. “But for me, I'm focusing on myself, on my goals, you know, whatever it takes. If they want to test us all, I'm happy to do that; it's pretty fair, and let's keep it that way.”
Her support is not without personal experience. In December 2025, Sabalenka played an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, losing 6-3, 6-3, a result she said reinforced the physical gap between male and female athletes. “It's about the strength and the speed,” she added. “It's not about skill, because women have plenty of that. It's about the biological reality.”
Perspective: A Precedent for Sports Worldwide
The WTA’s genetic testing policy and Sabalenka’s endorsement could have far-reaching implications beyond tennis. As the first major professional sports organization to implement such measures, the WTA is setting a standard that other governing bodies may follow. The move has sparked both praise and criticism, with advocates for female athletes lauding the focus on fairness, while LGBTQ+ rights groups express concerns about inclusivity and potential discrimination.
Sabalenka’s stance places her at the center of a cultural moment where women’s sports are increasingly scrutinized for competitive equity. With the WNBA also embroiled in similar debates, the conversation is shifting from theoretical to actionable. The policy could also impact trans athletes’ participation on the tour, though the WTA has clarified that the testing is part of a broader effort to ensure a level playing field.
For Sabalenka, the controversy is secondary to her on-court goals. After a strong start to 2026 that included titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami, she has yet to add a Grand Slam to her resume, losing to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open. She enters Toronto with a 36-3 record and three titles, looking to build momentum ahead of the US Open. Her focus remains on her performance, but her voice has already made an impact off the court.
As the National Bank Open continues, Sabalenka’s comments will likely keep the spotlight on the WTA’s policy. Whether other sports adopt similar measures remains to be seen, but tennis has taken a definitive step, and its top player is firmly behind it.
For more on the National Bank Open, check out Naomi Osaka Chases US Open Form as WTA Toronto Open Heats Up and Rain Wreaks Havoc on National Bank Open in Montreal, Delays Marquee Matchups.
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