World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has openly declared that allowing transgender women to compete in WTA events is "not fair" to female athletes, emphasising the inherent physical advantages retained from male biology. Speaking candidly on Piers Morgan Uncensored on December 9, 2025, the Belarusian star responded to a question about aligning with tennis legend Martina Navratilova's longstanding criticism of transgender inclusion in women's sports. Sabalenka acknowledged the complexity but firmly stated her belief that transgender women, even after transition, possess a "huge advantage" in strength and power, making head-to-head competition inequitable for cisgender women who have trained their entire careers within female physiological limits.

"It's not fair to a woman to face biologically men," Sabalenka asserted, elaborating that women push to their absolute limits only to potentially confront opponents with male-derived advantages. She stressed the lifelong dedication required in professional tennis, arguing that introducing such disparities undermines the level playing field essential to women's sport. Her comments come ahead of her participation in a high-profile exhibition dubbed "The Battle of the Sexes" against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai later in December, an event that playfully nods to historic mixed-gender matches while spotlighting ongoing debates about physical differences.

The WTA's policy permits transgender women to compete provided they maintain blood testosterone below 2.5 nanomoles per litre for at least two years and submit a declaration of female or non-binary identity—criteria aligned with International Olympic Committee guidelines. Despite this framework, no openly transgender woman currently competes at the elite level on the tour, reflecting broader challenges in implementation and acceptance. Historical precedent remains limited to Renee Richards, who transitioned in the 1970s and played on the women's circuit after initially competing as a man, reaching the US Open doubles final in 1977 amid significant controversy and legal battles over eligibility.

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Sabalenka's outspoken stance echoes sentiments from other prominent figures like Navratilova, Sharapova, and swimmers like Riley Gaines, who argue that retained advantages in bone density, muscle mass, and cardiovascular capacity persist post-puberty regardless of hormone therapy. Proponents of inclusion, however, advocate for case-by-case assessments emphasising human rights and mental health, pointing to studies suggesting mitigated advantages under strict testosterone suppression. The debate has intensified across sports, with organisations like World Athletics and Swimming banning transgender women from elite female categories if they experienced male puberty.

As the top-ranked player fresh off defending her Australian Open title earlier in 2025, Sabalenka's voice carries substantial weight, potentially influencing policy discussions within the WTA. While she expressed no personal animosity—"I have nothing against them"—her focus remained on competitive integrity, highlighting the tension between inclusivity and fairness in women's athletics.

With no immediate policy changes announced, Sabalenka's remarks reignite a polarised conversation, underscoring the evolving landscape of gender identity in professional tennis and the ongoing quest for equitable solutions that protect the women's category.

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