I’m on right side of history over trans athletes, says Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova poses with the women's singles trophy at the Rothesay International Eastbourne tournament on Saturday. She won the title 11 times in her career - James Marsh/Shutterstock

Martina Navratilova has said she is on the “right side of history” after calling transgender athletes “cheats”.

Navratilova, the nine-time Wimbledon champion and BBC commentator, has come under fire in recent years for arguing that people who are born male should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports events.

On the eve of this year’s tournament, Navratilova, 67, made it clear that such online abuse will not sway her beliefs.

At a press conference with her former arch-rival Chris Evert, 69, who is marking the 50th anniversary of her first Wimbledon singles title, Navratilova said: “I’m right on most people’s opinion about women’s sex-based spaces, and especially sports. They need to stay female.”

Backlash is ‘pretty rough’

Navratilova, a gay rights activist and equality campaigner, admitted the online backlash from transgender activists has been “pretty rough” and claimed she had been “jettisoned” by many LGBT groups.

She said: “I’ve been speaking my mind for a long time. I’m not going to change that. Yes, it’s been pretty rough.

“But I know I’m on the right side of history. Women are asked to be kind and be inclusive, yet by including transgender-identified males in women’s sports, you’re excluding women.”

Navratilova will provide commentary for the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon, which will be led by Isa Guha and Clare Balding.

Her comments on Sunday echo those made by Sue Barker, 73, the former British No1, who has backed a ban on self-identified trans women competing against biological females in sport.

‘You take away young girls’ dreams’

Barker, who led the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon for more than 30 years until 2022, told The Telegraph: “I just think you take away the young girls’ dreams.”

The Government has urged sporting chiefs to ban transgender athletes from elite women’s sporting events.

Lucy Frazer, the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, has said sporting bodies have a “duty” to set out clear guidance and take an “unambiguous position” on whether transgender athletes can compete.

The Lawn Tennis Association’s stance on whether transgender women should be allowed to compete alongside biological women remains unclear.

Guidance published in 2019 says that as a non-contact sport there “there are no safety concerns for any trans male or female wishing to take part in sanctioned tennis competitions or in training or friendly/ recreational tennis”.

However it adds; “We recognise that there may be some concerns about fairness in the women’s and mixed game.

“Our policy assumes that trans women (male-to-female trans person) wishing to compete in mixed or female sanctioned tennis competitions do so with the best of intentions and with no intent to deceive about their status to gain any competitive advantage.”

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