Coco Gauff knew that almost any answer could be reduced to a political slogan. Rather than choose a convenient side, the American offered a more difficult position in that women’s tennis can protect competitive fairness without treating transgender people as targets.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was asked at the National Bank Open in Toronto about the WTA’s new eligibility policy, which requires players to complete a one-time screening for the SRY gene.
“I understand the reasoning behind it,” Gauff said. “I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity towards the trans community, which I’m not really a big fan of.”
The policy took effect on July 21 and allows the screening to be completed through a cheek swab or blood test. The SRY gene is typically located on the Y chromosome and is associated with male sex development.
The WTA says the requirement is intended to preserve the integrity of the women’s category and maintain fair competitive conditions. Gauff said she could recognize that objective without embracing the way some people have used the discussion.
“I also understand the need to, I guess, the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that,” she said. “So I think it’s a conversation that is very nuanced.”
Gauff refuses to choose between fairness and dignity
Gauff’s concern wasn’t limited to the rule itself. She focused heavily on the hostility surrounding it and the possibility that a sports policy could become an excuse to attack an already marginalized community.
“Yes, I guess I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports,” Gauff said. “But I also do not like the attack that it is creating.”
She added that some participants in the debate appeared less interested in competition than in finding another reason to condemn transgender people.
“People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community,” Gauff added. “So, I’m not really a big fan of that either.”
Her discomfort extended to the way athletes’ answers can be stripped of context.
“I don’t really know how to answer really this question in a way that people aren’t going to spin it,” she said. “But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too.”
Aryna Sabalenka offers more direct endorsement
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka expressed fewer reservations when discussing the same policy in Toronto.
“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka said. “It’s obviously, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for the women to compete against biological men.
“If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that,” Sabalenka added. “It’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.”
The WTA’s change follows a similar International Olympic Committee framework scheduled to apply to the female category beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Critics have raised concerns about privacy, medical complexity and the treatment of athletes with differences of sex development. Supporters argue that an objective eligibility standard is necessary to protect women’s competition.
Gauff didn’t claim to have a simple resolution, instead challenged the idea that supporting transgender people and acknowledging biological considerations in elite sport must be opposing positions.
She understands why the WTA acted. What she doesn’t accept is using that decision as permission to dehumanize anyone affected by the debate.
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