Jessica Pegula Confirms WTA Genetic Sex Testing Has Started at Cincinnati Open

Jessica Pegula confirmed to Front Office Sports that genetic sex testing has started in the WTA Tour.

In an interview Wednesday, the women’s world No. 3 player said testing began at the Cincinnati Open, the main draw of which begins Thursday. Pegula said last week at the Canadian Open that she believed the testing would start in Cincinnati.

“I know some of the testing has started this week,” Pegula told FOS. “And so far, I’ve heard it’s been very easy, it’s been very simple, no complaints.”

Pegula, who is also a member of the WTA Player Council, said that the WTA has been discussing the policy change with players “over the past year,” receiving feedback and sending educational information about the testing process. 

“It definitely wasn’t something that was kind of brought all on us out of nowhere here in Cincinnati,” Pegula saysid.

She added that she has not heard any negative feedback from the players about the process: “I think it’s a hot topic right now, but I think the tour is doing a pretty good job and players seem to be okay with everything.”

The WTA declined to comment when reached by FOS.

The WTA announced a change in its Women’s Eligibility Policy in July, saying it will require a one-time, genetic sex test of all players, and effectively banning transgender women from competing. The decision came a few months after the International Olympic Committee announced it would begin SRY gene testing for the 2028 Olympics. 

The WTA said that its policy has “undergone periodic review in light of developments across international sport.” 

“Following the most recent review, which included consultation with WTA members and evolving standards across women’s sport, the Board approved a new policy beginning in 2026 based on biological sex,” the policy reads. The Tour also wrote in the policy that it recognizes the issue is “sensitive and complex.”

It’s unclear whether tests will be done in other locations or when players are required to undergo testing.

There has been some pushback on using the SRY gene test in women’s athletics, including from Andrew Sinclair, the geneticist who discovered the SRY gene. Sinclair wrote last year that it’s “misguided” and “overly simplistic” to use the test to define a woman in sports.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has come out in support of the WTA’s new rule, saying last week: “I think it’s really important to keep the fairness in our tour.” 

Coco Gauff, one of the top-ranked American women, said she agrees with the essence of protecting fairness in women’s sports, but does not like how it has led to hatred toward the transgender community.

“As far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too,” Gauff said in Canada last week.

The topic of gender eligibility has gained attention in the WNBA in recent weeks. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN in a July story that she wants “to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

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