Coco Gauff has described the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) recent implementation of a one-time gene test for players as a “nuanced” issue, acknowledging both its positive intentions and potential drawbacks. The testing, which began July 21, identifies the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome and associated with male sex development.
Gauff shared her thoughts during a press conference at the National Bank Open in Toronto, stating, "I understand the reasoning behind it. 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, but I also understand the need to, I guess, the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that."
She added, "So, I think it’s a conversation that is very nuanced. And it creates, causes, or I need to have a nuanced answer. So, yes, I guess I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports."
However, Gauff also expressed disapproval of the negative sentiment surrounding the policy. "But I also do not like the attack that it is creating. People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community. So, I’m not really a big fan of that either. So, I don’t really know how to answer really this question in a way that people aren’t going to spin it. 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."
Her comments follow those of World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who previously expressed support for the testing. The WTA stated that the policy's objective is to "to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players participating in WTA Tournaments." This aligns with the policy for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which will ban transgender athletes.
Sabalenka had remarked earlier in the week, "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 biological man."
She continued, "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."
The broader discussion around transgender athletes in sports has intensified recently, partly due to remarks made by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham, who has faced both support and boos for her views, stated, “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”