American tennis star Coco Gauff says she “definitely” supports the transgender community while also backing efforts to preserve what she describes as fairness in women’s sport, following the introduction of mandatory genetic eligibility screening by the Women’s Tennis Association.
The 22-year-old world number four was asked about the WTA’s new policy while competing at the Canadian Open in Toronto this week.
Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion and 2026 Wimbledon semi-finalist, acknowledged the reasoning behind the measure while expressing concern about the hostility towards transgender people surrounding debates over women’s sport.
“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, but I also understand the need to [account for] the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that.
“So I think it’s a conversation that is very nuanced.”
Gauff went on to distinguish between conversations about sporting eligibility and people using those debates as an opportunity to attack transgender communities.
“I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports. But I also do not like the attack that it is creating,” she said.
“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. I don’t really know how to answer 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.”
Gauff’s comments underline the complexity surrounding a policy that has generated discussion well beyond professional tennis.
What does the new WTA policy require?
The WTA’s updated Women’s Eligibility Policy came into effect on 21 July 2026 and requires players seeking to compete on the women’s tour to undergo a one-time screening for the SRY gene.
The test can use a cheek swab, blood sample or saliva sample.
A negative result generally confirms eligibility without further testing. If the SRY gene is detected, the player is temporarily ineligible while further medical assessment is carried out, with provisions covering some differences of sex development.
The policy replaces previous WTA rules that allowed transgender women to compete after maintaining testosterone below a specified level for two years.
There are currently no known transgender women competing at any level of professional tennis, according to Reuters.
The WTA says its policy is intended to “promote equal athletic opportunities” and maintain fair competition, while stressing that there is “no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person”. It also says players’ genetic and medical information will be treated confidentially.
Gauff has also raised concerns about how the policy was communicated, with reports indicating that some players learnt of the change only after it had become public.
Gauff’s comments follow support for the policy from women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The Belarusian star said she believed the measure was necessary to maintain fairness on the women’s tour.
“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka said.
“Biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not really be fair for women to compete against biological men.”
Sabalenka also said she had no objection to undergoing the test herself.
Gauff’s response was more cautious, acknowledging the WTA’s stated objective while warning against allowing debates over eligibility to become a vehicle for broader hostility towards transgender people.
Her position ultimately came back to supporting two principles she does not believe should necessarily be treated as mutually exclusive: fairness in elite sport and dignity for transgender communities.
“But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community,” she said, “but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too.”
