Martina Navratilova slams new sex-test rules in women's tennis

Martina Navratilova has fired back at the introduction of sex tests in women's tennis, calling the policy **a dangerous step backward** for the sport.

On 19 June 2026, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and 354-week world No. 1 took aim at the new regulations in a strongly worded statement. Navratilova, a vocal advocate for transgender inclusion in sports, argued the rules risk **stigmatizing athletes** based on outdated and unscientific standards.

What happened?

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced in May 2026 that it would implement mandatory sex-verification testing for female players at select events. The policy, framed as a measure to ensure fairness, sparked immediate backlash from players, advocates, and former champions. Navratilova, who retired in 2006 after a 32-year career, became one of the most prominent critics of the move.

In her response, she said the tests **violate privacy** and send a message that some women don’t belong. “This isn’t about fairness-it’s about fear,” she told reporters. “We’ve spent decades fighting for equality, and now we’re being told our bodies must be policed to prove we’re women.”

Why it matters for Martina Navratilova

Navratilova’s opposition carries weight. She has long been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in sports, coming out as bisexual in 1981 and later as transgender in 2014. Her stance clashes with the WTA’s stated goal of protecting “the integrity of women’s sport,” a phrase she calls **a smokescreen**.

The debate isn’t just theoretical. Earlier this year, a top-50 player was publicly scrutinized under similar rules in another sport, fueling calls for transparency. Navratilova warns that sex tests-often based on testosterone levels-**fail to account for biology’s complexity**. She points to conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which can raise testosterone naturally, as proof the tests are flawed.

What comes next?

The WTA has not yet set a timeline for rolling out the tests but says it will consult medical experts. Navratilova, however, isn’t waiting. She’s urging athletes to speak up and for governing bodies to scrap the policy entirely.

“If they push ahead, they’ll lose more than they gain,” she said. “Women like me-who’ve spent lifetimes proving we belong-won’t stand silent.” The tennis world now watches to see if her warning resonates beyond the baseline.