Sports

Top Ranked Female Tennis Player Echoes Sophie Cunningham In Response On WTA Testing

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Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka opens up on WTA testing.


Aryna Sabalenka was asked about WTA genetic sex testing during a recent press conference. The world’s top-ranked female tennis player echoed the stance of WNBA star Sophie Cunningham.

She believes it is necessary to ensure fairness of competition. Her words continue to fuel a debate that’s divided the sports world.

The WTA introduced a one-time, mandatory genetic test for all players, effective July 21. Players will be tested for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome.

While in Toronto, Sabalenka was asked to provide her thoughts on the new protocol. She agrees with the implementation.

Aryna Sabalenka opens up on WTA testing.

“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” she responded. “It’s obvious that biologically the men are way stronger than women, so I feel that it would not really be fair for women to compete against biological men… I support it.”

That viewpoint mirrors comments made by Sophie Cunningham on transgender athletes.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans,” she said in an ESPN profile this summer. “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.”

The remarks split the sports world. Many agree, including Stephen A. Smith. Others disagree in a push for inclusion.

Things came to a boiling point in the WNBA during a game between the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm. Minority owner Celeste Keaton berated a pair of young basketball fans for having an opinion that differed from that of her own.

That followed a pregame protest of Cunningham’s commentary on the issue. Those gatherings have continued in subsequent Fever road games.

The women’s tennis protocol only continues the debate. Aryna Sabalenka agrees with WTA testing. As the No. 1 player in her sport, her words hold weight.

Based on what we’ve seen in women’s basketball, she’ll have both supporters and critics of that stance.