World tennis no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka backs WTA’s controversial sex testing policy: ‘Biologically, men are stronger’
Aryna Sabalenka is the currently world no. 1 for women’s tennis. (Image: Getty)
Tennis world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has shared her support for the Women’s Tennis Association’s controversial new trans-exclusionary s*x testing rules, saying: “biologically, men are stronger.”
Speaking at a press conference for the Canadian Open in Montreal, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the WTA’s policy. “I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” she said.
“Biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not really be fair for women to compete against biological men,” she added, referring to trans women athletes.
The new policy requires all players to undergo genetic sex testing to remain eligible to compete, despite there being no known transgender women anywhere in professional tennis.
SRY gene testing policy
Under the updated policy, players will have to pass a one-time screening for the SRY gene, which helps determine biological sex, via a cheek swab or blood test.
The WTA confirmed the change to Reuters, saying screening would begin in 2026 and that it was committed to “treating all players with dignity.”
“I believe it took them a little while to make the decision. I support it, but for me I am focusing on myself, on my goals, you know, whatever it takes,” Salalenka continued.
“If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that. It’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.”
Sabalenka previously shared her thoughts on trans athletes while appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored in December.
“I have nothing to do against [the trans community] but I feel like they still have a huge advantage over the women and I think it’s just not fair to a woman to face basically biological men,” she said.
“It’s not fair. The woman has been working her whole life to reach her limit and then she has to face a man, who is biologically much stronger so for me I don’t agree with this kind of stuff in sport.”
