Aryna Sabalenka Claims Playing Transgender Competitors Is ‘Not Fair to Women’ Ahead of Her “Battle of the Sexes” Match

The world No. 1 tennis star shared her thoughts on the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's tennis during a recent interview

Clive Brunskill/Getty Aryna Sabalenka.

Clive Brunskill/Getty

Aryna Sabalenka.

NEED TO KNOW

  • Aryna Sabalenka shared her thoughts on transgender athletes competing in women's tennis
  • The current world No. 1 tennis star weighed in on the topic when asked by Piers Morgan on his eponymous talk show
  • Nick Kyrgios also shared his opinion alongside her during the interview

Aryna Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the participation of transgender athletes in women's tennis during an interview with Piers Morgan released on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The world No. 1 tennis star, 27, weighed in on the debate when asked by the British host if she agrees with former player Martina Navratilova's take that "it's wrong" to allow trans women compete in women's tennis events, per the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) gender participation policy.

"That’s a tricky question," Sabalenka replied to Morgan, adding, "I have nothing to do against them. But I feel like they still got a huge advantage over the women and I think it’s not fair on women to face basically biological men."

Al Bello/Getty Aryna Sabalenka on day one of the 2025 US Open.

Al Bello/Getty

Aryna Sabalenka on day one of the 2025 US Open.

"You know, it's not fair," she continued. "The women been working their whole life to reach their limit, and then she has to face a man [who is] biologically much stronger. So for me, I don't agree with this kind of stuff in sport."

Nick Kyrgios, who appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored alongside the 2025 US Open champion, was also asked for his thoughts on the topic.

"Yeah, I feel the exact same way," the Australian tennis player, 30, said.

Morgan posed the question to the tennis stars ahead of the their Battle of the Sexes tennis match in Dubai on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Frey/TPN/Getty Nick Kyrgios at the Miami Open in March 2025.

Frey/TPN/Getty

Nick Kyrgios at the Miami Open in March 2025.

Sabalenka was previously asked by BBC Sport if she thinks the match against Kyrgios could be damaging, to which she replied, "I don't agree."

 Al Bello/Getty Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 US Open.

 Al Bello/Getty

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 US Open.

"I am not putting myself at any risk. We're there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins," she explained. "It's so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it's not about that."

Sabalenka added, "This event is only going to help bring women's tennis to a higher level."

Read the original article on People

Category: General Sports