Legendary tennis player Martina Navratilova is currently facing some social media backlash, after denouncing University of Pennsylvania’s decision to nominate transgender swimmer William Thomas, who identifies as Lia, for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s “Woman of the Year” award.
William Thomas via NCAA Championships, YouTube
Born a male, Thomas has sparked a heated debate about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports after taking first place at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships on the 500-yard freestyle event earlier this year.
The now-retired Czech-American tennis player shared her reaction on Twitter, following UPenn’s decision to nominate the transgender athlete, writing, “Not enough fabulous biological women athletes, NCAA?!? What is wrong with you?!!!!!!!?”
Martina Navratilova, Twitter
The woke mob was quick to take offence at Navratilova’s comments, accusing the former tennis player of promoting transphobia and attempting to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Martina Navratilova via Google Zeitgeist, YouTube
“About 460,000+ total NCAA athletes,” wrote one user in response to Navratilova’s tweet, inquiring, “How many trans athletes?” before proceeding to share an article published by Outsports that reveals a total of 32 athletes who identify as transgender are members of the NCAA.
Doing the proper math, the frustrated user reveals that this number roughly amounts to 0.007%, and claimed, “It sounds like you want even fewer trans athletes? Fewer than 0.007%?”
AsInTheJar, Twitter
“This is not a good tweet,” wrote another user in response to the former tennis player’s comments.
mortenbc58, Twitter
Twitter user @JohnManier corrected Navratilove, stating, “The nomination is by Penn, not the NCAA,” adding, “I have no idea if she deserves the nomination. I am sure she’s a woman.”
JohnManier, Twitter
“What is that supposed to mean? I expected better from you,” wrote another disappointed user.
pundmentlyflawd, Twitter
So I should be happy that biological women are pushed aside when it comes to sports? Not on your life… #biologymatters,” Navratilova replied to the user above, adding, “Do you understand the difference?”
Martina Navratilova, Twitter
“Why angry?” asked @Kwg4Ever, adding, “Are they changing the definition of a word like man and woman? How’s that marriage going?”
Doubling down, the disgruntled Twitter user went on, “Didn’t you fight to change the definition of marriage (rightfully so) that for centuries meant a man and a woman? It’s ok for the LGB part of LGBT to change society but not the T?”
Kwg4Ever, Twitter
While most of the tweets criticised Navratilova’s stance on transgender ideology, some users did show some support for the former tennis player’s tweet.
“I think this is part of the overall misogynist backlash against women going on,” pointed out @MediawatchNw.
MediawatchNw, Twitter
“All women need to speak up,” opined @MrsFancyJ, adding, “We had come so far for fairness. We can no longer stand by and let it be for nothing.”
MrsFancyJ, Twitter
@GershonManda asserted, “Perhaps the University of PA doesn’t really want women attending. Sure seems that way.”
GershonManda, Twitter
This wasn’t Navratilova’s first time expressing her opinion regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. In February of 2019, the former former tennis player wrote a lengthy column for The Sunday Times claiming that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports was akin to “cheating.”
“Simply reducing hormone levels — the prescription most sports have adopted — does not solve the problem,” Navratilova wrote at the time.
She explained, “A man builds up muscle and bone density, as well as a greater number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, from childhood. Training increases the discrepancy.”
Martina Navratilova via US Open Tennis Champions, YouTube
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“Indeed, if a male were to change gender in such a way as to eliminate any accumulated advantage, he would have to begin hormone treatment before puberty. For me, that is unthinkable,” she said.
Navratilova added, “I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair.”
William Thomas via NCAA Championships, YouTube
While not specifically replying to Martina Navratilova’s tweet, former NCAA champion swimmer Marshi Smith also took to social media to express her disapproval of the University of Pennsylvania nominating William Thomas for the “Woman of the Year” award.
“How many women’s awards are we willing to surrender?” pondered Smith, noting, “Here’s another one ‘NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee,'” and shared the respective article published by Swimming World Magazine.
Marshi Smith, Twitter
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Further, University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who was also nominated for the NCAA’s “Woman of the Year” award, was quite vocal about William Thomas being nominated for the aforementioned award, sharing a series of tweets denouncing the situation.
Riley Gaines via Kentucky Wildcats TV YouTube
“Being the real girl in that photo and also University of Kentucky’s nominee for NCAA WOTY, this is yet another slap in the face to women,” a frustrated Gaines asserted.
She went on, “First a female national title and now nominated for the pinnacle award in collegiate athletics. The NCAA has made this award worthless.”
Riley Gaines Twitter
“This award combines athletic performance with academics, service, and character. What character has Thomas shown other than sheer selfishness and entitlement?” pondered Gaines in a follow-up tweet.
She then concluded, “The disrespect and disregard for the other female athletes in Thomas’ interview is eye opening.”
Riley Gaines Twitter
What do you make of Navratilova’s comments about the University of Pennsylvania nominating William Thomas for the NCAA’s “Woman of the Year” award? Sound off your thoughts in the comments section down below or on social media.