Toronto: Coco Gauff supports fairness in sports amid new WTA policy, not animosity

By Liam Tremblay — 6 August 2026 — 3 min read

Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed her support for the transgender community while also emphasizing the importance of fairness in women’s sports. Her comments came during the Canadian Open in Toronto, addressing the WTA Tour‘s new policy requiring a one-off test for the SRY gene.

Gauff acknowledged the reasoning behind the new policy, which distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, and between biological females and biological males based on the presence or absence of the SRY gene. She stated that she understands the biological differences and the need to protect and preserve fairness in women’s sports. However, she also voiced concern about the animosity the conversation has generated towards the transgender community.

The tennis star defeated Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5 in her opening match at the WTA 1000 event. Following her match, Gauff described the issue as a “very nuanced” conversation that requires a nuanced answer. She indicated that while she agrees with efforts to protect fairness, she disapproves of how some individuals use the policy as a reason to attack the transgender community.

Player Reactions to New WTA Policy

The WTA‘s new policy, introduced last month, aims to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition. It includes exceptions for athletes with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or other disorders of gonadal development. Gauff suggested that the process could have been more transparent among players, noting that some on the tour only learned about the policy upon its announcement.

Other players on the tour have shared varying perspectives. Aryna Sabalenka, the women’s world No. 1, commented ahead of the Canadian Open that she feels it would not be fair for a woman to compete against a biological male. World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, after her win against Daria Kasatkina, stated that if the tests are required, players will comply, though she felt they were not strictly necessary before.

The WTA‘s policy aligns with the International Olympic Committee‘s eligibility policy ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. This policy was instituted after an executive order was signed banning transgender athletes in women’s sports. The WTA has clarified that its intent is to determine biological sex and not to disrespect or question gender identity.

Broader Discussion on Transgender Athletes

The debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports has recently intensified. Andrew Sinclair, the scientist who discovered the SRY gene, has described using it to determine biological sex as overly simplistic. He has previously expressed opposition to this type of testing, including in discussions with the IOC before the 2000 Sydney Games.

Sinclair has noted that a change in the SRY gene can lead to an individual being biologically female despite carrying XY chromosomes, which under certain tests, could lead to exclusion from competition. The issue gained further attention following comments from Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who appeared to support banning transgender players, citing a desire to protect young girls in sports.

Cunningham’s remarks led to rallies outside Fever games. In response, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt reading “Trans Kids Belong” during a game against the Fever. Reeve emphasized the need for nuanced solutions and stated her personal stance comes from a place of inclusion, challenging the narrative that transgender individuals are the primary problem in women’s sports.

Caitlin Clark, a teammate of Cunningham, commented that it is up to leagues and governing bodies to collaborate with athletes to find solutions, stating that the team’s focus remains on basketball. Gauff’s next match in Toronto is scheduled against Maria Sakkari on Friday.

Source: nytimes.com