Venus Williams, a tennis legend, recently made headlines when she refused to play against Joe “Josepheena” LaBarron, stating, “I’m not trying to be the next Billie Jean King. I’ll play any man for charity or for fun, but this is my livelihood.” Venus emphasized that she has never competed against a man and has no intention of doing so now.

During the incident, Venus held her fist up and received a standing ovation as she left. However, ALLOD Sportsball Analyzer Tara Newhole questioned the accuracy of the story, pointing out that the player in question was not Venus’s opponent, but Amelie Muresmo, a retired female athlete with some masculine features. Newhole highlighted the uncertainty about Muresmo’s testosterone levels.

In response to the controversy, Venus Williams clarified, “I’ve never lost a competition to a man because I’ve never played one before.” Despite the confusion, Venus’s stance on not playing against a trans woman in a professional context remains clear, underscoring the challenges and debates surrounding gender inclusivity in sports