BERLIN (AP) — The Women’s Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players effective from Tuesday – a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The WTA updated its women’s eligibility policy to include gender screening “based on biological sex” this week “to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players.”
The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Games.
The WTA is complying with what is effectively an order from the IOC that Olympic sports bodies are following, though it remained unclear how many, if any, transgender women are competing at Games level.
Players are to be tested for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development in utero and indicates the presence of testes.
“In this policy, ‘biological male’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has an SRY gene and therefore has or previously had testes or streak testes; and ‘biological female’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has no SRY gene and therefore has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries.”
The WTA said the policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, and that there is “no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person.”
The mandatory gender screening — already conducted by the governing bodies of track and field, skiing and boxing — has been criticized by human rights experts and activist groups.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
FILE - A tennis racket sits on the court at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his sixth career grand slam, George Kirby and three relievers combined for a three-hitter and the Seattle Mariners beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-0 on Monday night.
The Mariners (51-50) are above .500 for the first time in nearly two weeks and moved a half-game ahead of Texas (50-50) in the AL West.
In the seventh inning, Reds lefty Caleb Ferguson intentionally walked Dominic Canzone to load the bases for Raleigh, last year’s AL MVP runner-up. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Raleigh turned on a hanging breaking ball, sending it 408 feet into the left-field bleachers to make it 7-0.
It was the 10th homer this season for Raleigh, who hit 60 in 2025.
Kirby (8-8), who struck out six and walked one, needed only 80 pitches in his sixth straight quality start. Edwin Arroyo was the lone Reds hitter to advance past second base, and he was thrown out at home with ease by Mariners right fielder Victor Robles on a shallow fly ball in the third.
Rodríguez hit an RBI single off Andrew Abbott (5-6) to make it 1-0 in the fifth. He hit a chopper to Elly De La Cruz, and the Reds shortstop’s throw to first base was off line. Robles scored from third base and Rodríguez reached base safely, but exited the game soon after for precautionary reasons.
Robles moved from right field to center field after Rodríguez departed. Weston Wilson, who entered for Rodríguez, made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the seventh.
Nick Davila, Cole Wilcox and Michael Rucker pitched hitless innings of relief.
Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford was a late scratch. Colt Emerson replaced him, and hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to increase Seattle’s lead to 2-0.
Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suarez, who played parts of three seasons for the Mariners, was greeted with a standing ovation when he led off the second.
RHP Luis Castillo (3-8, 4.93) gets the nod for Seattle in the second game of the three-game series against Reds RHP Chase Burns (11-1, 2.54).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Seattle Mariners' Weston Wilson hits an RBI double to score Luke Raley against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh jogs the bases after hitting a grand slam as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Arroyo (2) looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
