The debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s events is currently a hot topic after two governing bodies suspended their participation.
Less than a week ago, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) voted to ban transgender women from elite swimming events if they have experienced any part of male puberty. Their decision is based on the verdict of their “scientific panel” which concluded that trans women retained a significant advantage over cisgender swimmers even after reducing their testosterone levels with medication. Meanwhile, the International Rugby League (IRL) has also temporarily banned trans women from playing until further research is carried out to develop a clear policy for the organisation.
What about tennis then? This sport was one of the first in the world to feature a male-female competition thanks to the pioneer Renée Richards. Richards, who played professionally as a man before transitioning, was barred from qualifying for the 1976 U.S. Open after failing a chromosome test. She then engaged in a high-profile legal battle which she won and allowed her to enter the tournament the following year, which made headlines around the world and divided opinion. Although she is still banned from other high-profile events where their rules once stipulated that only biologically born women could compete in women’s events.
Today, the International Tennis Federation and the WTA have their own policies on the subject. In an email exchange between the ITF and UbiTennis, they confirmed that a review was underway in line with guidelines recently released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC framework is a recommendation and has no legal authority. It focuses on 10 principles: inclusion, harm prevention, non-discrimination, fairness, no presumption of benefit, evidence-based approach, primacy of health and bodily autonomy, stakeholder-centered approach, right to privacy and periodic reviews.
“The ITF Sports Science and Medicine Commission (SSMC) has begun reviewing current transgender policy following the release of the IOC Transgender Framework” an ITF spokesperson told UbiTennis.
“The ITF SSMC includes leading international medical and scientific representatives from the world of tennis and will consider inclusion, as well as the other principles set out in the IOC Transgender Framework as part of its review.”
Since the ITF and WTA are separate organizations, they can issue their own rules. This is why there is a slight difference in part of their eligibility criteria regarding trans players. On the ITF Tour, players can participate with lower testosterone levels than on the WTA Tour (5 nmol/L to 10 nmol/L). It is therefore theoretically possible that some players are allowed to participate in ITF events and are subsequently banned from the WTA Tour.
However, both governing bodies tell UbiTennis that they will work together on this topic in the future. When asked about the difference between their policies regarding testosterone levels, the ITF downplayed it.
“The ITF remains in close communication with the WTA regarding our respective transgender policies, of which the testosterone threshold is one element,” they said.
“It should be noted that the likelihood of a transgender woman’s testosterone concentration being between 5 and 10 nmol/L is very low, as gender reaffirming hormone therapy typically results in levels below 2 nmol/L. We will continue to work closely with the WTA as we continue to review our policy.”
Meanwhile, the WTA told UbiTennis that its approach to the subject of trans competitors was based on fairness for all.
“The WTA’s priority is and continues to be to foster a fair, safe, inclusive and evidence-based environment. » said a spokesperson.
It is unclear whether the ITF and WTA will align their rules regarding the required level of testosterone prohibited for trans players, but a review is underway. Neither governing body mentioned that banning transgender women from participating was a possibility.
