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The WTA has introduced mandatory one-time genetic sex testing for all players seeking to compete on the women's tour, replacing its previous testosterone-based eligibility policy. Players must test negative for the SRY gene to qualify, while positive cases will undergo further evaluation. The new biological sex-based policy takes effect from Tuesday.

London: The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a major change to its eligibility rules on Monday, introducing mandatory one-time genetic sex testing for all players wishing to compete on the WTA Tour from Tuesday.

Under the updated women's eligibility policy, players must provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample to test for the SRY gene. This gene is part of the Y chromosome and is responsible for developing male traits.

Only players who receive a negative result, indicating the gene is not present, will be eligible to compete. Those who test positive will go through further medical evaluation before a decision is made. Players will only be tested once in their lifetime. They must also sign a declaration acknowledging that they could face disciplinary action if they refuse testing.

The revised regulations replace the WTA's earlier policy, last updated in 2024, which allowed transgender women to compete as long as they maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years. Currently, no known transgender women are competing on the WTA Tour.