Coco Gauff Supports Fairness in Women’s Sports While Calling for Respectful Dialogue on Transgender Inclusion
The Grand Slam Champion Backs the WTA's New Gene-Testing Policy but Warns Against Using the Debate to Target the Transgender Community
Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff has voiced support for the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) newly introduced gene-testing policy while urging the public to approach the issue with greater compassion and respect for the transgender community.
Speaking after her opening-round victory over Kayla Day at the Canadian Open in Toronto, Gauff acknowledged the importance of maintaining competitive fairness in women’s sports but expressed concern that the conversation surrounding the policy has become increasingly divisive.
“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. People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community—I’m not really a big fan of that either.”
The WTA announced last month that all players seeking to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will be required to undergo a one-time gene test for the SRY gene, a genetic marker typically associated with male sex development. According to the organization, the policy is designed to distinguish biological sex from gender identity while preserving fairness in elite women’s competition.
The governing body emphasized that the policy is not intended to question anyone’s gender identity or dignity, stating that it aims to establish consistent eligibility standards for Olympic participation.
Gauff believes the issue deserves thoughtful discussion rather than political polarization. While recognizing the need to protect fair competition, she cautioned against allowing the debate to become a platform for hostility or discrimination.
She also questioned how the policy was communicated to athletes, noting that several players reportedly learned about the new testing requirement only after it was publicly announced. Greater transparency, she suggested, would have helped players better understand the rationale behind the decision.
The WTA joins several international sports governing bodies—including those overseeing athletics, skiing, and boxing—that have adopted biological eligibility requirements in recent years. However, such policies continue to generate debate among athletes, policymakers, medical professionals, and human rights organizations, with critics raising concerns about privacy, inclusion, and potential discrimination.
Gauff’s comments reflect an effort to strike a balance between two values she considers important: protecting competitive integrity in women’s sports while ensuring discussions remain respectful and free from unnecessary hostility toward transgender individuals.
As international sports organizations continue refining eligibility policies, conversations surrounding fairness, inclusion, athlete rights, and scientific standards are likely to remain central to the future of elite competition.
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