Policy Effective Date: December 1, 2025

Introduction.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”) has directed every National Governing Body to adopt and align its athlete safety policies with the following provision from the USOPC’s NGB Athlete Safety Policy:

National Governing Bodies are committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. National Governing Bodies will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., International Olympic Committee (“IOC”), International Paralympic Committee, and international federations, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order (“EO”) 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. § 22501, et. seq.

Purpose of Policy. This purpose of this policy is to adopt the USOPC’s NGB Athlete Safety Policy, to provide direction regarding sex-specific USTA-sanctioned leagues, tournaments and competitions, and to ensure consistent application of eligibility guidelines across the USTA organization. Failure to comply with this directive risks the USTA’s status as the National Governing Body (“NGB”) for the sport of tennis in the United States.

Definitions.
The definitions* specified in Section 2 of Executive Order 14168 shall govern the interpretation and application of the same terms in this policy. The relevant EO 14168 definitions are:

• “Sex” shall refer to an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female. “Sex” is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of gender identity.
• “Women” or “woman” and “girls” or “girl” shall mean adult and juvenile human females, respectively.
• “Female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.

All other terms shall have the meaning set forth in Friend at Court.

Applicability.

• Athletes: This policy applies to all current and prospective athletes (members and account-holders) participating in sex-specific USTA Events.
• Events: This policy applies to USTA sex-specific junior and adult leagues, tournaments and competitions (“USTA Events.”)
• Gender Competition Categories:
  • Only athletes who meet the Executive Order definition of woman or girl may participate in USTA Events designated for women or girls.
  • Any athlete may participate in USTA Events designated for men or boys, provided their USTA account reflects their Gender Competition category as male.
    

Policy Application.
Gender Competition Category is determined during the account creation process (membership and/or usta.com), or for certain programs, during program registration. Only USTA may challenge a member’s Gender Competition Category. The determination of whether an individual is female may be established through the individual’s birth certificate (or other reliable facts).

International Competition.
Eligibility for participation in international competition is pursuant to policies promulgated by the International Tennis Federation (itftennis.com) and event organizers, e.g. the IOC. Athletes selected by USTA for international competition, invitationals or offered USTA wildcards must meet this policy.

Compliance with Other Policies.

• Anti-Doping: Nothing in this policy is intended to contradict or affect in any way any of the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code, of the WADA International Standards (including the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions), or of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.
• Friend at Court: The application of this Policy shall not affect or supersede requirements or rules otherwise set out in Friend at Court or other sources for USTA rules, regulations or policies.
• Safe Play: Nothing in this policy is intended to undermine or affect in any way any of the requirements of the Safe Play Conduct, Policies & Guidelines.
  

Questions: For questions about the administration of the policy, see the eligibility policy here or email eligbility@usta.com or write:

UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION
Office of the General Counsel
2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 411
Purchase, NY 10577

The USTA believes the tennis community is better when people of all backgrounds can contribute and play tennis. This policy is a living document and will be subject to review in light of any changes in the law.

*Definitions are set forth in EO 14168 "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government," dated January 20th, 2025.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/

Revised: October 25, 2025
Previous Revision: July 1, 2025