Coco Gauff is the latest female sports star to wade into the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
And she did her best to avoid making waves in a debate that has become increasingly heated recently after comments made by WNBA star Sophie Cunningham.
While competing in the National Bank Open in Toronto, Gauff was asked about the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) recently implementing genetic testing as a way to ensure a level playing field in their sport.
Gauff gave a measured response, citing the need for “fairness” while also lamenting recent “attacks” on the transgender community.
What did Coco Gauff say?
“I understand the reasoning behind it,” she said during a press conference Wednesday after defeating Kayla Day in their first-round match.
“I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity toward the trans community, which I’m not really a big fan of, but I also understand the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that. So, I think it’s a conversation that is very nuanced and I need to have a nuanced answer.
“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 (for) 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.
“I don’t really know how to answer this question in a way that people aren’t going to spin it. But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too.”
What have other tennis stars said?
Gauff’s comments came after the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis star spoke out on the matter earlier this week.
On Monday, Aryna Sabalenka said she felt that the new genetic testing in her sport will ensure a level playing field for female competitors.
“It is really important to keep fairness in our tour,” Sabalenka said. “It is obvious that, biologically, the men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for a woman to compete against a biological man.
“I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and I support it.”
“For me, I’m focusing on myself, on my goals, whatever it takes,” she said. “If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that. It’s pretty fair and let’s keep it that way.”
What are the WTA’s new rules?
All players aiming to compete in tournaments under the WTA Tour umbrella must submit to testing for the SRY gene, which requires a single swab or blood sample. Under the previous rules, women who had undergone gender reassignment surgery and maintained a lower testosterone level for at least two years had been allowed to compete in WTA tournaments.
According to Tennis World, there currently are no active players on the WTA Tour who have changed their gender and there has been just one in history: Renee Richards, who competed from 1977-81.
What did Sophie Cunningham say?
Cunningham went viral last month when she waded into the ongoing heated debate, stating that young girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological men.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.
“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
With the interview having gone viral, Cunningham was asked about her comments before a game last month between the Fever and the Connecticut Sun — and firmly stood behind her beliefs.
“I said what I said, I think it’s common sense,” she said. “I think I’ll always believe in that, it’s really important to protect children. And that’s little girls, who are also involved in that category.
“I stand by what I said and I’ll always believe that.”
She also reaffirmed that she doesn’t “dislike” transgender people and that there should be space for everyone in sports.
“I extend love, I don’t dislike anyone, I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here,” she said. “I think there’s room to love everyone. I truly think when you get people in the same room, you actually have a lot in common with a lot of people … But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think there are rights that need to be protected.”