Tennis icon Martina Navratilova expressed disapproval following a Senate hearing on LGBTQ+ rights, specifically regarding a witness's comments on biological advantages in sports. During the hearing, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, was questioned about whether males possess a biological edge over females in athletic competition. Robinson stated she couldn't definitively confirm this, citing a news piece about men believing they could defeat Serena Williams. Riley Gaines countered this by highlighting that both Serena and Venus Williams lost to the 203rd-ranked male player over a decade ago. This incident occurred at the 1998 Australian Open when Karsten Braasch, then 50, defeated both sisters after they claimed they could beat any man outside the top 200. Navratilova reacted on social media, labeling the exchange "sad." While absent from the hearing, Navratilova's influence was evident as Gaines quoted her in her opening remarks, acknowledging her advocacy. Navratilova, a long-time advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has also been vocal about her opposition to transgender women competing against cisgender women in sports. She previously praised World Athletics' decision to exclude transgender female athletes from women's competitions as a positive step. Navratilova suggested a potential solution involving "biological female" and "open" categories. The latter would encompass athletes of all gender identities, ensuring fairness and eliminating ambiguity. She emphasized the irreversible physical changes brought on by male puberty, making it impossible to create a level playing field. Navratilova hopes this decision will encourage other sports organizations to adopt similar policies.

Billie Jean King (right) and Martina Navratilova at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships.

Martina Navratilova at the 2015 French Open.

Martina Navratilova with Queen Elizabeth at Wimbledon in 2010.