The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has prohibited transgender women from competing in all female tennis matches, a policy that extends to internal club competitions. This decision follows the introduction of new transgender eligibility regulations by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which mandate genetic testing to determine a player's eligibility.
Previously, transgender women were barred from county, regional, and inter-club matches. However, individual clubs had the discretion to permit transgender participation in their internal competitions. These local policies have now been superseded by the LTA's updated regulations, influenced by recent guidance from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission and a Supreme Court ruling asserting that "sex is binary."
The WTA's revised policy requires players to undergo a sex screening for the SRY gene, a component typically associated with male biological development. This test, performed via a cheek swab, blood sample, or saliva, is a prerequisite for competing on the WTA Tour's female-only circuit. Athletes who do not pass this screening will face further medical evaluation before being permitted to compete against cisgender female players. Refusal to comply with testing may result in disciplinary action.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has expressed support for the new rules, emphasizing the importance of fairness in the sport. "Biologically, men are much stronger than women," Sabalenka stated, adding that she supports the decision and would undergo testing herself if required. She indicated that the change took time to implement and that she believes it is a fair measure to maintain competitive balance.
The LTA's original guidance from 2024 noted that tennis and padel are "gender-affected sports," where biological males generally possess advantages in areas such as reach, ball striking, and cardiovascular capacity for court coverage.
Similar measures have been adopted by other sports organizations, including World Boxing and World Athletics. The International Olympic Committee has also indicated it will implement sex testing for athletes in advance of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.