- World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka says transgender players who were born male have a “huge advantage.”
- Sabalenka called participation of transgender athletes in women’s tennis “unfair.”
- Her remarks have renewed debate about fairness and rules in women’s sport.
- The comments put pressure on governing bodies and add to an ongoing global discussion.
H2: Sabalenka voices concern over fairness
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she does not agree with transgender tennis players competing in women’s events, calling the situation “unfair” and saying athletes who were born male have a “huge advantage” over female opponents.
The Belarusian champion’s remarks, published on December 10, 2025, reflect a debate that has intensified across elite sport, as players, fans and governing bodies weigh questions of safety, fairness and inclusion.
H3: What Sabalenka said
Sabalenka told reporters she believes the physical differences between those assigned male at birth and cisgender female athletes create an advantage that is hard to bridge, even with hormone treatment. She described the situation as unfair for women competing on the professional tour.
Her comments were short and direct and have already provoked responses from multiple corners of the sport. While Sabalenka did not call for specific policy changes in the interview, her statement underlines the unease among some players about the current landscape.
H3: The wider conversation in women’s sport
The issue of transgender athletes in women’s competitions is not new, but it remains unsettled. Sporting authorities have experimented with different eligibility rules, often focused on testosterone levels and transition timelines, but consensus is elusive.
Athletes and advocates argue from different perspectives: some call for strictly enforced physiological criteria to protect fairness and safety in women’s sport; others warn that restrictive policies can exclude and harm transgender people who wish to compete.
H4: What comes next?
Sabalenka’s intervention will likely intensify calls for clarity from international and national governing bodies. Tournament organizers and federations regularly review eligibility regulations, and high-profile statements from top-ranked players often influence the tone and urgency of those reviews.
For now, the conversation continues across media, social platforms and sporting committees. Stakeholders face the challenge of balancing inclusion with competitive integrity — and doing so in a way that is evidence-based and respectful of athletes’ rights.
H5: Sabalenka’s place in the debate
As the world No 1, Sabalenka’s words attract attention beyond tennis. Her viewpoint adds weight to one side of a complex issue, but it is only one contribution to an ongoing global discussion involving scientists, policymakers, fellow athletes and civil rights groups.
Whatever the outcome, the debate over transgender participation in women’s sport looks set to remain a prominent and contested topic for the foreseeable future.
Image Referance: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/12/10/aryna-sabalenka-against-transgender-tennis-players-unfair/