Chris Evert threw her support behind Caitlyn Jenner, who lambasted the WNBA for its handling of transgender eligibility policies. After Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed her stance against the inclusion of transgender athletes, the WNBA has found itself surrounded by the hot-button issue.
The debate intensified after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves as the 2027 WNBA draft prospects.
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During her latest appearance on Fox News, Jenner addressed the manner in which the WNBA handled the controversy over whether transgender athletes should compete in the league. She backed the two former NBA players, who declared their intentions to feature in the WNBA.
“They’re showing the hypocrisy of what’s going on out there in the WNBA. The WNBA had their meetings on this issue and Cathy (Engelbert), the head, says, ‘We talked about the trans issue but we just haven’t come up with a conclusion at this point. We will continue the conversation.’ Cathy, XX, you’re in. XY you’re out. It’s that simple,” Jenner told Fox News.
Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam champion, backed Jenner’s views on the existing situation in the WNBA and wrote on X:
“The two people’s opinions I respect regarding this issue are Caitlyn Jenner and Renee Richards, who both have firsthand experience. They both have some strong opinions and have gone on the record.”
According to the existing laws in the WNBA, a lack of clarity prevails regarding whether transgender athletes can compete in the league or not. According to the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement’s Article XIII, Section 1(a): “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Chris Evert defends Martina Navratilova from critics amid WTA’s gender testing policy debate
The transgender inclusion debate has also been the talk of the town in the world of tennis. Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has been the loudest in support of the policy.
Several top players including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and others have rooted for the WTA’s initiative. Chris Evert weighed in on the entire situation and wrote on X:
“Martina Navratilova and Nancy Hogshead WERE the first athletes to back it and received a lot of criticism. It’s good to hear current athletes weigh in. My opinion? Ask Renee Richards or Caitlyn Jenner their opinion… They lived it, and I would certainly respect their opinion.”
As of now, no known transgender athletes are competing on the tour. The last known transgender athlete to feature in the WTA was Renee Richards, who competed from 1977 to 1981.
Edited by Pritha Ghosh
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