‘It’s Really Important’ – Aryna Sabalenka Firmly Backs WTA’s Mandatory Gene Test After Controversy

Aryna Sabalenka has reaffirmed her support for restricting women’s sports to biological females. The World No. 1 and her team have spoken out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competitions on multiple occasions, and the WTA’s new mandatory one-time gene testing policy has further strengthened her stance.

Aryna Sabalenka Ready for Gene Test as WTA Introduces New Policy

In July, the WTA announced that all players competing on the Tour would be required to undergo mandatory testing. Under the new policy, players must provide a cheek swab, blood, or saliva sample and test negative for the SRY gene to be eligible to compete. The update came months after the International Olympic Committee introduced its eligibility policy in March.

The decision drew mixed reactions, with members of the online tennis community questioning the necessity of such testing. Former doubles World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs recalled on her podcast that she underwent a similar test to compete at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, describing the experience as “an invasion of privacy.” The policy was seemingly discontinued in the years that followed.

Meanwhile, during her press conference at the 2026 Canadian Open, Sabalenka expressed contrasting views, backing the initiative.

“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our Tour. 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 a biological man.”

Sabalenka has previously voiced her opposition to the inclusion of transgender athletes in tennis. Her fitness coach, Jason Stacy, has also been seen sporting a hat supporting the “pro-women” brand XX-XY Athletics during a few of her matches.

“I believe it took them a little while to make this decision, and, yeah, I support it. 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,” she said in Toronto on Sunday, August 2.

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

Sabalenka, the top seed at the 2026 Canadian Open, is set to compete in her fifth hardcourt tournament of the season after reaching the final at each of her previous four events and claiming three titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami.

Following a first-round bye, she will face the winner of the match between Cristina Bucșa and Moyuka Uchijima. Sabalenka has yet to win a title at the Canadian Open, and a triumph in Toronto would provide valuable momentum ahead of the Cincinnati Open and her US Open title defense.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.