Tennis legend Martina Navratilova issues furious reaction to trans fencing controversy

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said she was 'fuming' after a female fencer was disqualified for refusing to face a trans opponent.

Fencer Stephanie Turner was set to battle with Redmond Sullivan at a USA Fencing tournament over the weekend, but took a knee in protest before the match began and told the referee she would not be competing.

She was subsequently shown a black card, which signified her disqualification from the match and ultimately the tournament.

Navratilova, who has been an ardent critic of transgender women competing in sports, saw video of Turner's protest and subsequent disqualification and was enraged.

'This is what happens when female athletes protest!,' she wrote on X. 'Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming… and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bulls*** bus!!!'

A fan responded to the 18-time Grand Slam winner that they believed that men and women 'should be able to compete equally against each other' in fencing.

'You would believe wrong,' Navratilova shot back. 'Strength matters in most sports and it certainly matters in fencing. And that’s just one advantage.

Before she was set to face Sullivan - who switched from Wagner College's men's team to its women's squad last year - Turner had completed four matches at the tournament.   

Sullivan eventually placed 24th out of 39 in the competition.

Speaking about her decision to protest, Turner told Fox News Digital: 'I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, 'OK, let's do it. I'm going to take the knee'.

'I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women's objections. I took a knee immediately at that point. Redmond [Sullivan] was under the impression that I was going to start fencing.

'So when I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said: 'I'm sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual.'

'Redmond didn't hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn't understand what's happening. He asks: 'Are you OK?' And I said: 'I'm sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.'

USA Fencing later released a statement saying that Turner's disqualification was 'not related to any personal statement,' but instead 'the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit.

Nonetheless, the statement strongly defended transgender inclusion in the sport.  

'USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023,' it began. 'The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces.

'The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.

'We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we're committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement.

'We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It's important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.'

The statement concluded that the organization was 'committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.'