World’s Top Female Tennis Player Takes Stand For Women’s Sports

The world’s top-ranked female tennis player has taken a stand for female athletes.

Aryna Sabalenka, who is ranked No. 1 in women’s singles, said earlier this week that women’s tennis must be kept fair and female, backing a one-time gender test for athletes.

“The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) recently announced that players will take a one-time gender test,” a reporter said to Sabalenka. “How do you feel about that?” 

“I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka responded, adding that “men are way stronger than women.” 

“I feel like it would be not really fair for the woman to compete against biological men,” the Belarusian tennis player continued. “I believe it took them a little while to make the decision and I support it.”

“If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that,” she added. “It’s pretty fair and let’s keep it that way.” 

The WTA announced in July that its Women’s Eligibility Policy will now be based on biological sex, as opposed to so-called gender identity. Now, all players competing on the women’s tour must undergo a one-time genetic screening for the SRY gene, which is associated with male biology. Players can be tested using either a cheek swab or blood sample.

Back in December 2025, Sabalenka voiced similar comments about the trans sports issue.

“I think it’s not fair on women to face basically biological men,” she said at the time. “The woman has been working her whole life to reach her limit and then she has to face a man, who is biologically much stronger, so for me I don’t agree with this kind of stuff in sport.”

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Sabalenka’s comments come on the heels of WNBA star Sophie Cunningham taking a bold stance for women. Bucking the league’s messaging and other players’ activism, Cunningham said biological males should not be allowed in female sports and that she will always stand up for female athletes and advocate for fairness.

Cunningham doubled down on her position last week. “I said what I said,” she said, adding, “It’s kind of common sense, and I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said and I’m going to always believe that.”

“I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs,” she continued. “I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and be true to who I am, and I think people are going to take it how they want to take it. … When it comes to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that.”

Related: WATCH: Sophie Cunningham Doubles Down On Protecting Girls From Trans Athletes