Testosterone levels mean Sabalenka and Swiatek are better than me, says world No 27

A leading women’s tennis player has come under fire for suggesting that Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are so good because they have a “higher level” of testosterone.

Marta Kostyuk, the world No 27, appeared to suggest that the world’s top two women players have greater concentrations of the male sex hormone – which occurs naturally in women – because they are taller than her.

The Ukrainian made the comments in an interview in which she was asked whether she felt “intimidated” by Sabalenka and Swiatek, who share 10 major singles titles between them. Both players have 100 per cent win records against Kostyuk.

“We all have our own biological structure,” Kostyuk told Tennis 365. “Some have a higher level of testosterone, some have lower. It’s just natural and that definitely helps. I feel smaller than them. I try to see how I can beat these players with the tennis skills I have, but I have to work harder to win the points. I have to run a lot more than them to win points.”

Kostyuk’s comments caused a stir on social media, not least because testosterone has become a lightning rod in the debate about whether trans athletes and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) should be allowed to compete in women’s sport.

Kostyuk, who is 5ft 7in, went on to explain that she has to work harder to cover the court. Sabalenka stands just under 6ft, while Swiatek is 5ft 9in. The comments drew a scathing reaction from fans on social media, with some accusing her of being transphobic while others labelled her answer “embarrassing”.

Another user pointed out that last year’s Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini, who at 5ft 4in is one of the smallest players on the women’s tour, recently beat Swiatek 6-1, 6-2 earlier this month at the Wuhan Open.

Another dismissed Kostyuk’s comments by describing them as the “dumbest excuse for bad results I’ve seen from a player for a long time”.

Sabalenka has a 100 per cent win record against Kostyuk in the four matches they have played. The Ukrainian lost twice in consecutive tournaments to the Belarusian earlier this year when they met in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open and in the last 16 at the Italian Open last May.

Swiatek, meanwhile, is also unbeaten against Kostyuk over three matches, although the Pole received a walkover when they were due to meet at August’s Cincinnati Open.

All biological women have natural levels of testosterone – albeit a much lower concentration than men – which fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking around the time of ovulation.

The hormone is made in the ovaries and helps regulate sex drive, maintains muscle mass and is considered vital for a woman’s reproductive health.

The WTA declined to comment when approached by Telegraph Sport. Swiatek’s and Sabalenka’s respective agents have been contacted for comment.

Kostyuk’s representative has been contacted for comment.

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