Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, known for her outspoken views on key sports issues, shared her opinion on political activist Riley Gaines’ experience at a WNBA game. Gaines, a former college athlete, sparked renewed debate about trans athletes’ inclusion in women’s sports while supporting Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s opposition to their inclusion.
Gaines’ comments came during an appearance on FOX News, where she described the atmosphere she felt inside Target Center in Minneapolis during the Fever’s visit. Gaines described what she saw as a very hostile crowd that booed Cunningham whenever the ball came to her.
“I went to the WNBA game in Minneapolis… It felt like virtually everyone in that arena, you audibly heard it anytime Sophie was subbed in, stepped on the court, touched the ball, or threw up a shot, and her name was announced on the loudspeakers. You audibly heard. It felt like the entire arena booed,” Gaines said.
Navratilova was quick to respond to Gaines’ comments and shared her take on X.
“Hey Riley, do you enjoy insulting some women while speaking out on behalf of some (most) women? This is not ok,” Navratilova wrote on X.
Martina Navratilova Previously Responded to Natasha Cloud’s Stance on Trans Athlete Support
Chicago Sky’s star Natasha Cloud earlier voiced support for the trans community in the wake of the WNBA’s rejection of former NBA athletes Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White’s proposal to enter the WNBA draft next year.
Navratilova backed Cloud’s take on trans people but still maintained that trans athletes should not have a place in women’s sports.
“All of those statements are fine. What is not fine is male bodies in women’s anything spaces…” Navratilova wrote on X.
Navratilova has previously made it clear that she is not against the idea of transgender athletes playing sports, only that she does not want them to take safe spaces away from biological women.
“Can males who identify as women be accommodated in sports? Of course. They can play in the men’s category. The men’s category can be redefined as “open.” Or they can create their own events,” she said in a column she wrote for Genspect.
“I support any accommodations so long as male athletes do not take participation opportunities or scholarships from female athletes. The female category was created to provide opportunities for women to compete fairly. It was always intended to exclude males,” she added.
Also read:
Martina Navratilova Voices Deep Concern Over US Open’s Back-To-Back Late-Night Match Finishes
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