Last month, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham caused quite a stir when she spoke out against transgender women competing in women’s sports. Now, another high-profile athlete has offered a similar stance.
Following Cunningham’s recent comments, top-ranked tennis star Aryna Sabalenka was asked about the WTA’s controversial new gender screening policy which is designed to prevent transgender women from competing in the sport. Sabalenka was quick to offer her support, mirroring Cunningham’s stance.
Cunningham’s Comments
Last month, Cunningham caused quite a stir when she decided to speak out against transgender athletes.
During an interview for an ESPN profile, Cunningham was asked about her political beliefs, including the “MAGA Barbie” nickname that has followed her in recent months. In response, the Indiana Fever guard shared her perspective on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she told ESPN. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Just a few days later, Cunningham reaffirmed those remarks, describing them as “common sense.”
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said earlier this week. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
Cunningham later addressed the issue again in a post on X while responding to a recent incident involving two teenage girls who said they were verbally confronted by a Seattle Storm co-owner, who was later suspended.
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind,” Cunningham wrote in a post on X. “Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner.”
Although Cunningham did not speak with reporters following the Fever’s victory over the Seattle Storm earlier this week, she broke her silence before Friday night’s matchup against the Portland Fire, making it clear that she has no plans to back away from the criticism surrounding her comments. She also dismissed the idea that the ongoing controversy has had any effect on the team.
Sabalenka Supports Gene Testing
Last month, the WTA announced a one-off mandatory gene testing for all players, which would be 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,” with the policy stating that the change is designed “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, which was changed to align with United States President Donald Trump’s executive order that banned transgender women in sports ahead of the 2028 Games.
While the policy is controversial, Sabalenka, who is the top-ranked player in the current WTA rankings, expressed her support for it on Monday.
“If they want to test us all, I’m happy to do that,” she said on Monday. “It’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.”
The statement might not have been quite as definitive as Cunningham’s, but her stance is still pretty clear.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.