Four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka has offered her stance on transgender athletes.
Sabalenka experienced plenty of ups and downs during the 2025 season. Although she fell one match short of winning both the Australian Open and French Open, she redeemed herself by successfully defending her title at the US Open. It was an emotional win for her, make no stake about it.
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“I think because of the finals earlier this season, this one felt different. You know, this one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one,” Sabalenka said. “I knew that [because of] the hard work we put in, like, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season. So, yeah, when I fell, it was like truly emotions because it means a lot to defend this title and to bring such great tennis on court. And to bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot.”
While the majority of the WTA Tour is currently enjoying an extended break, Sabalenka has kept herself busy, competing in the Garden Cup and agreeing to take on Nick Kyrgios in the “Battle of the Sexes” match.
Sep 6, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Aryna Sabalenka celebrates championship trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Amanda Anisimova (USA) (not pictured) of the 2025 US Open tennis championships at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Since her showdown with Kyrgios is coming up soon, Sabalenka appeared on Piers Morgan’ show to talk about it.
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During an interview with Morgan this Tuesday, the world No. 1 was asked about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Sabalenka said it’s “not fair” for female athletes to compete against trans players.
“I have nothing against them, but I feel like they still have a huge advantage over women,” Sabalenka said. “I think it’s just not fair to women to basically face biological men. It’s not fair. The women work their whole life to reach her limit, and then she has to face a man, which is biologically much stronger. So. for me, I don’t agree with this kind of stuff in sport.”
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Fans put Sabalenka on blast.
“She’s such a terrible image for women’s tennis,” one fan declared. “Imagine being the world No. 1 and sitting next to an abuser. It’s so embarrassing and honestly really disappointing for the sport.”
“Just pathetic and embarrassing,” a second fan wrote. “Talking about what’s fair to women while sitting beside a man found guilty of abusing women like this is ridiculous.”
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“She’s actually a horrible human being and no one can convince me otherwise,” another fan said.
Suffice to say, there are a lot of tennis fans who don’t agree with Sabalenka’s take on this subject.
Sabalenka has not yet addressed the backlash online.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
