Transgender Women Banned From Competing In Female Category By LTA
NewsSaturday, 14 December 2024 at 10:17
Updated at Sunday, 15 December 2024 at 10:57
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has confirmed that transgender women will not be able to play in the female category at most tournaments under its jurisdiction in Great Britain. However, that change does not apply to ATP or WTA tournaments.
Many prestigious tournaments are held in Great Britain. Wimbledon is the most obvious example, but there is also the Cinch Championships at the Queen's Club, the Eastbourne International, and the Nottingham Open.
The ATP edition of the Cinch Championships, which was voted as the best ATP 500 event of 2024 by players for a third consecutive season, has already announced a two-time Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, for 2025.
Home favorite Jack Draper, who defeated Alcaraz at last year's tournament at the Queen's Club, will also compete at the 2025 tournaments, provided he is not injured. He withdrew from a scheduled pre-season camp with Alcaraz due to a physical issue.
The rules for ATP and WTA tournaments are set by each governing body, meaning the LTA cannot implement its new policy related to transgender athletes at those events held in Great Britain.
However, the LTA can enforce it at domestic tennis competitions in the country. From next month, transgender women will be unable to compete in the female category at most domestic competitions under the LTA's jurisdiction.
The governing body made a statement outlining its justification for the decision, confirming the move was taken after a lengthy review process from the Sports Councils Equality Group.
"It is clear that tennis and padel are gender-affected sports – the average man has an advantage when playing against the average woman. The current broad consensus, including the conclusion of the review carried out by the Sports Councils Equality Group, is that this advantage is likely to be retained to a significant degree in trans women, making competition potentially unfair."
"We are changing our policy to restrict trans women and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth from playing in the women’s category in Specified, inter-venue, competitions."
“We want to encourage local venues to ensure that they are as inclusive as possible for trans and non-binary individuals, providing opportunities to compete in a friendly environment. In line with this, our own Local Tennis Leagues product (largely played in parks) will remain fully inclusive."
"We recognise the diversity of opinion around this matter and would like to assure the tennis community that the LTA will continue to listen to all views and keep the policy under review in response to emerging research and data, and further guidance from other relevant bodies."
However, the LTA also announced that the change will not impact lower-level competition and friendly club matches because the governing body wants to create a fun and inclusive environment at that level.
"For Non-Specified Competitions within venues, the purpose is primarily to provide fun, social competition to enable people to feel part of their local tennis community and players will be able to familiarise themselves with the policy within their own venue and hence who they are likely to be playing against."
"These will range from weekend social tournaments through to Club Championships, these will be able to be fully inclusive, and the choice will be for local venues to make."
“We want to encourage local venues to ensure that they are as inclusive as possible for trans and non-binary individuals, providing opportunities to compete in a friendly environment. In line with this, the LTA’s own Local Tennis Leagues product (held in park venues) will remain fully inclusive."
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