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Aryna Sabalenka supports genetic sex testing in women's tennis

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 5:44 PM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka supports genetic sex testing in women's tennis

Summary

Aryna Sabalenka, ranked No. 1 in women's tennis, expressed her support for the Women Tennis Association's new DNA testing policy during a news conference in Toronto on August 4, 2026. The policy mandates that all female competitors undergo genetic testing for the SRY gene, which typically initiates male sex development. Sabalenka stated that ensuring fairness is essential, emphasizing the biological differences between men and women in sports. This policy went into effect last month and has sparked debate, with varying opinions among athletes and experts., genetic researcher Andrew Sinclair has criticized the reliance on the SRY gene as an overly simplistic measure of biological sex.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Sabalenka spoke at a news conference on August 4, 2026.
•The WTA's new policy requires genetic testing for all female players.
•The policy aims to ensure fairness amid discussions of biological differences.
•Response from athletes has been mixed, highlighting a contentious issue.
•Sabalenka's comments follow her recent loss at Wimbledon.

Latest Updates

5:44 PMYahoo Sports — World's No. 1 woman tennis player supports genetic sex testing as 'fair'

What they're saying

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"Biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against biological man," said Aryna Sabalenka, the Women Tennis Association's top-ranked player.
— Yahoo Sports

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