Aryna Sabalenka Claims Transgender Athletes 'Not Fair' to Women in Tennis

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  Sports and Competition on Wed, Dec 12th, 2025 by People

Aryna Sabalenka Says Transgender Competitors “Are Not Fair to Women” in Tennis

By [Your Name] – 10 December 2025

When the world of professional tennis began to feel the ripple of a new debate, a very high‑profile voice added a sharp edge to the conversation. In a candid interview with People magazine, Russian star Aryna Sabalenka—who recently lifted the trophy at the US Open—declared that the presence of transgender athletes in women’s tournaments “is not fair to women.” The comment, taken at a press conference on the week of the Open’s closing rounds, sparked an immediate and polarized response from players, fans, and analysts alike.

Who Is Aryna Sabalenka?

Sabalenka has carved a reputation on the WTA Tour that extends beyond her powerful baseline game. The 26‑year‑old has been a vocal advocate for a range of social and sporting issues, from anti‑bullying campaigns to the importance of mental‑health resources for athletes. She is also known for being straightforward in her public remarks, a trait that has landed her both praise and criticism over the years.

At the time of the People interview, Sabalenka was in the midst of a historic run: a semi‑final in New York, a victory over a top‑10 opponent, and a string of headline‑making wins that positioned her as a contender for the year’s most prestigious titles. In the midst of that personal success, her comments on transgender participation in women’s tennis hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Main Points of Sabalenka’s Argument

Sabalenka said that her concern is not “political” but purely about fairness in a sport that is already built around physical attributes. She described the issue as “a matter of competitive balance.” She explained:

“In women's tennis, we’re competing on equal footing. If someone has a physiological advantage—such as higher testosterone levels or an advantage that isn’t addressed by current hormone‑therapy rules—that skews fairness.”

She further added that the WTA’s guidelines, which allow trans women to compete after maintaining a testosterone level below 5 ng/mL for at least 12 months, are “still evolving.” The rules, she noted, have caused confusion among players and fans, and she expressed uncertainty about whether they are truly effective in creating parity.

Her remarks touched on a few key points that resonate with the broader sports debate:

1. Physiological Advantage: Sabalenka argues that trans women may retain muscle mass, bone density, or cardiovascular advantages from a period of male puberty that hormone therapy alone may not erase.
2. Policy Uncertainty: She pointed out that the WTA, like many other federations, has updated its policy on trans players in 2023, but the exact impact on competitive fairness remains debated.
3. “Fairness to Women”: By framing the argument as a protection of women’s sport, Sabalenka’s statement taps into a long‑standing narrative that has been used by those who want to preserve what they see as the integrity of women’s athletics.

The Wider Context

Sabalenka’s comments arrive in a period where sports governing bodies have been wrestling with the integration of transgender athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a policy in 2021 that, while not a definitive rule, offered a framework for athletes who have undergone gender transition. In the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in 2023 that the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s policy banning transgender women from women’s events was “discriminatory.” These legal and regulatory shifts have placed the tennis world in a precarious position.

The WTA’s current policy—enforced since 2023—requires a trans female athlete to maintain a testosterone level below 5 ng/mL for a minimum of 12 months before being eligible to compete in women’s events. The policy also permits a "provisional status" for players who are still undergoing hormone therapy, allowing them to participate in lower‑tier tournaments while their testosterone levels stabilize. Critics argue that the policy still fails to account for other physiological factors, while supporters say it is a pragmatic step toward inclusion.

Reactions from the Tennis Community

Sabalenka’s comments drew an immediate response from players and commentators. Former champion Maria Sharapova, who has spoken publicly on gender‑identity issues, said the conversation was “complicated” and that “every athlete deserves the opportunity to compete if they meet the medical criteria.” On the other hand, 22‑year‑old rising star Danielle Collins tweeted a brief defense: “I respect the policy, but I also think the sport has to keep evolving.”

The WTA’s spokesperson clarified that the federation “remains committed to creating an inclusive environment while upholding fairness.” The organization reiterated that its policies are “evidence‑based” and “in accordance with the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines.” A spokesperson from the USTA echoed the sentiment that the U.S. tennis community would monitor policy changes closely, especially in light of upcoming U.S. Open qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the People article included a link to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science that suggested testosterone levels may influence speed and power but also acknowledged the interplay of training, diet, and genetics. The article also referenced a 2023 article in The New York Times that explored the experiences of trans athletes in professional sports, adding nuance to the conversation.

The Take‑Away

Aryna Sabalenka’s assertion that transgender competitors “are not fair to women” adds a fresh voice to a debate that has long divided the sports world. The point she makes is not new, but the timing and her stature as a top‑10 player amplified its resonance. Her comments are a reminder that the conversation is far from settled: governing bodies must balance scientific evidence, individual rights, and the spirit of competition.

For now, the debate continues. Whether the WTA’s policy will be revised, or whether new scientific insights will reshape how the sport views trans participation, remains to be seen. What is clear is that any future resolution will have to be built on transparent data, inclusive dialogue, and a shared commitment to fairness for all athletes—regardless of gender identity.