Serena Williams Voices Support for USOPC’s New Transgender Athlete Policy: “I Think It’s the Right Step Toward Fairness in Sports”

Tennis legend Serena Williams has spoken out in support of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its newly announced policy regarding transgender athletes—a move that has already sparked widespread discussion across the sports world.

In a recent interview with NBC Sports, Williams was asked about the policy shift, which aims to create more nuanced, sport-specific eligibility criteria for transgender athletes, while promoting inclusion and fairness in competition. Without hesitation, she expressed her support:

“I think it’s the right step toward fairness in sports. Everyone deserves a chance to compete, but it also has to be done in a way that respects the integrity of the game.”

Williams, known not just for her 23 Grand Slam titles but also for her strong advocacy on gender equality and social justice, acknowledged the complexity of the debate but said she believes the USOPC is approaching it in a thoughtful way:

“It’s not a black-and-white issue. There are real concerns on all sides, but I think building policies based on science, compassion, and fairness is the way forward. This feels like a balanced approach.”

The new USOPC framework does not impose a one-size-fits-all rule across sports. Instead, it allows individual national governing bodies to develop specific eligibility criteria based on factors such as performance advantage, hormone levels, and safety—using input from medical experts, athletes, and legal advisors.

Williams emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and inclusion in sports, saying:

“Sport should be a space where people feel they belong, but it also has to be competitive and respectful. I believe we can have both.”

Her statement was met with praise by many fans, athletes, and advocacy groups, who applauded her for bringing a calm and reasoned voice to an often polarizing topic. Social media quickly lit up with supportive comments, including messages like:

• “Thank you, Serena, for standing up for fairness AND inclusion.”

• “This is why she’s not just a GOAT on the court, but off it too.”

Meanwhile, some critics of the policy expressed concern over its perceived vagueness or potential for inconsistency across sports, suggesting that more clarification and transparency are needed. Still, Serena’s support adds considerable weight to the USOPC’s position as the sporting world continues to navigate the intersection of identity, science, and fair competition.

As always, Serena Williams is not afraid to use her platform to speak up for what she believes in—and in doing so, she once again places herself at the center of the most important conversations in sports.