Gauff backs WTA gene-testing, while criticizing how it creates animosity toward trans community

TORONTO (AP) — Coco Gauff understands the reasoning behind the WTA Tour’s newly introduced gene-testing policy. What the two-time Grand Slam champion doesn’t favor is how politicized the discussion becomes in generating what Gauff called, “animosity towards the trans community.”

To her, the topic requires a more nuanced conversation, which is why Gauff provided what she called a nuanced answer, in speaking to reporters at the Canadian Open in Toronto following her opening-match win over Kayla Day on Wednesday.

“So, yes, I guess I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports. But I also do not like the attack that it is creating,” Gauff said. “People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community — so I’m not really a big fan of that either.”

Her comments come in response to the Women’s Tennis Association last month introducing one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players as a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.