Martina Navratilova says Sophie Cunningham is not “Anti-trans” she is “pro-women” following WNBA player’s divisive comment 

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has expressed her support towards Sophie Cunningham and mentioned that Cunningham is not 'Anti-trans', rather she os 'pro-women'. This happens after basketball player Sophie Cunnigham made headlines for her anti-trans views.

Expressing her support, Navratilova took to social media platform X on August 02, Sunday and said that Sophie is not anti-trans. The former tennis champion also shared a clip from Telegraph which had a headline that read “basketball’s new anti-trans MAGA poster girl” for Sophie Cunnigham.

"Sophie is not ANTI-TRANS- rather she is PRO-WOMEN!!!, Wrong headline!”, wrote Martina Navratilova on X.

Navratilova also gave replies to netizens who expressed their views on Sophie's comments. A user commented that the topic of trans-athletes in sports is a 'non-issue'. To this, Navratilova replied that if it's not an issue then what is all he fuss about?

"There are zero trans athletes in the professional space and only like 10 in the NCAA to which it seems like no one knows their names so it’s not like they are dominating the space", commented the user

“If it’s such a non issue, why the fuss? Maybe not an issue at WNBA but it sure is an issue in many sports, many countries", replied Martina Navratilova on the comment.

Navratilova retaliated by calling the user "anti-women" when another user accused her of being "anti-trans" as well.

About Sophie Cunnigham's controversy

On August 1, people rallied in support of Sophie Cunningham after her comments on transgender athletes women's athletes prior to a Portland Fire vs. Indiana Fever WNBA game.

Sophie Cunnigham has faced opposition from audiences in and around WNBA. Meanwhile, fans have rallied in her support as she still stands by her comments.

In a report by ESPN's Hallie Grossman, Cunningham took a stand against transgender women who were born as biological men participating in women's sports, sparking a whirlwind of controversy.

I received a lot of harsh comments about how much I detested transgender people. "I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Sophie Cunningham told ESPN. "I believe my purpose in being here is to show love. However, I also believe that love involves being truthful and sincere. Additionally, I want to shield young girls who shouldn't have to compete against biological guys in a locker room or in sports."

Her peers and the internet quickly reacted negatively to her outrageous comments. The basketball player strengthened her position a few days later.

At a July Fever practice, she told the media, "I said what I said. It's kind of common sense, in my opinion. I believe I will always hold that belief. I believe that safeguarding children is crucial."

Sophie Cunnigham continued:

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“I’m not a very political person but I do have beliefs. I have morals and I’ll always stand on those and be true to who I am. People are going to take it how they want to take it, but I never really said anything about that. When it comes to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that.”

It should come as no surprise that Sophie Cunningham's remarks have generated a wide range of responses from the WNBA and its supporters.

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