Aryna Sabalenka says ‘not fair on women to face basically biological men’ in tennis
Guardian5 days
Sabalenka Questions Fairness of WTA Trans Athlete Policy
Do trans women retain unfair advantages that displace female athletes, or does testosterone suppression create fair competition?
Above: Aryna Sabalenka speaks to the media at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 8, 2025. Image credit: STR/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Sabalenka is right. Over 900 wins and trophies have been taken from female athletes by trans-identified males in competitions, displacing women who trained their entire lives within biological limits. Biological men maintain huge physical advantages even with testosterone restrictions, making it fundamentally unfair for women to compete against them. Inclusion at the cost of exclusion isn't real inclusion. Trans athletes should compete in open categories or biological male divisions, not displace biological women.
Left narrative
Scientific research consistently shows trans women have no lasting advantage after transition, with studies finding they actually have lower strength and lung capacity than cis women. The WTA policy requiring low testosterone levels for extended periods creates fair competition, and there have been zero examples of trans players dominating professional tennis. Exclusionary policies are driven by cultural bias and transmisogyny rather than evidence, harming athletes while solving a problem that doesn't exist.
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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.1