WTA to Require Tennis Players to Take DNA Test for Tournament Eligibility

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will require players seeking to compete in women’s tournaments to undergo a one-time DNA test. The new rule is part of an updated policy on eligibility for the women’s category.

The test will screen for the SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome and is linked to male biological development. The test can be carried out using a cheek swab or a blood sample.

If the SRY gene is not detected, the player will be cleared to compete and, as a rule, will not have to take the test again.

If the result is positive, the player’s eligibility will be reviewed further after additional medical assessment.

Following the assessment, the WTA may still clear some athletes with certain differences in sex development. To do so, it must be confirmed that they did not experience the physiological effects of male puberty.

In practice, the new rule primarily affects transgender women who went through male puberty, as well as some athletes with differences in sex development.

Under the previous policy, transgender women were allowed to compete in WTA tournaments if they declared a female gender identity and maintained the testosterone level required by the organisation for at least two years. Meeting that condition alone will no longer be enough.

The new policy comes into force on 21 July 2026. A WTA spokesperson told Reuters that testing will begin during 2026 and will be conducted with respect for confidentiality and personal data protection requirements.

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