Coco Gauff, a celebrated Grand Slam champion, shared her perspective on the WTA Tour’s new gene-testing policy, emphasizing her discomfort with its impact on the trans community. Speaking at the Canadian Open in Toronto after her victory against Kayla Day, Gauff articulated her concerns.

Gauff stated, “I understand the intent to protect fairness in women’s sports. However, I dislike how this discussion generates animosity towards the trans community. It’s a topic that demands a nuanced conversation.” She highlighted her unease with the politicization of the issue and its use as a tool for unwarranted attacks on transgender individuals.

The Women’s Tennis Association’s policy, introduced last month, mandates gene testing for players as a condition for participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The test looks for the SRY gene, a DNA segment on the Y chromosome associated with male development, which indicates the presence of testes.

It is unclear how many transgender women, if any, are competing at the Olympic level or within the WTA Tour. The WTA clarified that the policy aims to differentiate between biological sex and gender identity, asserting there is no intention to disrespect or challenge anyone’s gender identity or dignity.

The mandatory gender screening, already practiced in sports like track and field, skiing, and boxing, has faced criticism from human rights experts and advocacy groups.

Gauff also questioned the transparency of the new process, mentioning that some players only discovered the policy upon its announcement. Concerns continue around the openness and communication surrounding this initiative.

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