‘I Played No Part’ — Martina Navratilova Issues Clarification While Praising WTA’s Women’s Eligibility Policy

The WTA has announced a major overhaul to its women’s eligibility policy, introducing mandatory genetic sex testing. Beginning in 2026, the policy will require players to test negative for the SRY gene to compete. While it has reignited debate around sex screening in sports, especially regarding trans women, tennis legend Martina Navratilova stepped in to clarify her stance and her involvement in the decision.

Martina Navratilova Responds to WTA’s New Sex-Screening Policy for Female Players

As per WTA’s announcement, players will be required to submit a one-time cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample to screen for the SRY gene, a genetic marker on the Y chromosome responsible for male sex development.

While a negative result will allow them to play, players who test positive will have to undergo further medical assessment, and if they refuse to participate in the screening, it may result in disciplinary action.

This policy is a major shift from the WTA’s 2024 guidelines, which permitted trans athletes to compete if they maintained testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for two years. Under the new policy, the WTA joins other global governing bodies, such as World Athletics and World Boxing, in restricting the female sports category to biological sex.

The official statement says that the policy is designed to “maintain fair competition for all players,” while acknowledging the “sensitive and complex” nature of the decision.

As the news broke, sports advocates flooded social media to thank the sport’s biggest names, including Chris Evert, Aryna Sabalenka, and Martina Navratilova, who have long campaigned to keep the category open only to biological females.

An account on X praised Navratilova, writing: “Wonderful result and thank you @Martina you truly are an icon both for your achievements in tennis on the court and again for your work subsequently. I feel truly honoured to know you.”

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion was quick to respond. While she welcomed the WTA’s decision, she clarified that she had no role in the process.

“I played no part in this particular policy,” Navratilova wrote, “but am very happy that we at the WTA are clear that we are a women’s association and only women, as in females, can compete at the highest level of women’s tennis.”

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Currently, there are no known transgender women competing in the tour. However, Navratilova was once coached by Renee Richards, a transgender woman who competed on the professional tour from 1977 to 1981.

The debates have been going on for a long time. While Sabalenka has argued that facing trans athletes is unfair, 12-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King views their exclusion as an act of discrimination, which also sparked a back-and-forth between her and Navratilova a month ago.