‘Not a Good Idea at All’ – 59-Time Grand Slam Champion Enlightens Tennis Australia CEO Over His Surprise Move on Trans Athletes

Some discussions in sports are of a highly sensitive nature. A topic that has become highly debated in recent years is the inclusion of transgender athletes in the women’s categories. Several figures have spoken out about the inclusion of transgender players in tennis. Many are for the idea, and many are against the proposal. Martina Navratilova, former number 1, is someone who takes the side of the latter.

This is not the only time when Navratilova has spoken against including transgender athletes in the women’s categories. Earlier this year, Navratilova lambasted the World Rowing Federation’s decision to include transgender women in the cis-gender women’s category.

Martina Navratilova is staunchly against having transgender players in women’s tennis

Over the years, several renowned names in the sports world have been pushing to include transgender athletes by creating the appropriate guidelines. The CEO of Australian Tennis, Craig Tilley, is among those. As he told Sydney Morning Herald, they were trying to influence the decision and stated that the final decision needs to be aligned with their core values.

While some lauded the decision, Navratilova was quick to express her displeasure. In a tweet that talked about development, the 59-time grand slam champion quoted the tweet, “By including trans-identified males in female category, biological females lose a spot. It’s that simple. Seems to me Craig Tilley doesn’t understand that concept.”

Navratilova also left a comment on the post and called the move a bad idea. She also said that trans-identifying athletes have a spot in their own category and further stressed that by adding trans females in the women’s category, spots for women will be taken away. 

Read more – ‘You Can Compete but You Don’t Get the Medal’ – Martina Navratilova Talks About a Possible Solution for Lia Thomas Competing as a Transgender Athlete

Navratilova pushed back on a similar decision earlier

Early in March, the World Rowing Federation announced an initiative for adding transgender women rowers to the women’s categories. They went ahead with the plan, and Navratilova was quick to give her views against the committee. As per the Czech-American legend, in a sport like rowing, where strength is the most important aspect, this move was disgraceful.

While Navratilova is hailed as a figure of inclusion for people of different sexual orientations, she is also chastised for her opinions on this matter. As long as the discussion continues, Navratilova will state the same opinion, as one can see from her past.

Watch this story – ‘Seems to Get Injured a Lot’ – Martina Navratilova Once Used Serena Williams’ Example to Talk About the ‘Fragmented’ Nature of Women’s Tennis.