"Not about division" - Aryna Sabalenka's fitness coach Jason Stacy issues strongly worded statement in light of trans inclusion in women's sports

Aryna Sabalenka’s fitness coach, Jason Stacy, has made his position clear about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The American coach opined that society needs to abide by certain “rules and boundaries” when it comes to sports categories.

Stacy, who is presently training Aryna Sabalenka in the UAE ahead of the 2025 season, has a background in martial arts, sports, massage therapy, and strength and conditioning. The American has been part of Sabalenka’s team since 2018, playing a crucial role in each of her three Grand Slam wins and her climb to World No. 1. Stacy is also known for being a joyous and sportive presence in the tennis player’s team.

During Sabalenka’s 2024 US Open title run, though, he landed in hot water after he sported a hat made by the controversial sportswear brand “XX-XY Athletics.” The brand’s mission is to stand up for women’s sports amid the rising inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s spaces and categories.

The gesture didn’t go unnoticed among tennis fans, who were quick to call out Aryna Sabalenka’s coach for his controversial position.

Now, Stacy has issued an even clearer statement about his belief in protecting women’s categories. The American recently appeared in a video by "XX-XY Athletics." In the clip, the brand’s founder, retired artistic gymnast Jennifer Sey, alongside other sportswomen such as Riley Gaines, championed the mission. Sey said:

"Women’s sports must be for XX (chromosomes) only. Sports are not about validating identity; sports are about creating as fair and level of a playing field as possible."

Echoing the sentiment, Stacy wrote on Instagram:

"'Sports are not about validating identity.' Sports offer amazing opportunities for growth and we have rules, divisions, weight classes, age, groups, skill levels, and more to ensure safe and fair opportunities for all."

He clarified that advocating for women’s sports wasn’t equivalent to disregarding “everyone else.” Stacy opined that although every individual should enjoy the freedom to be themselves, sports should adhere to biology instead of following gender or other such identities.

"Supporting women’s sport does not mean I am against everything and everyone else. This is not about division or politics. To me, sports is about biology and not identity. I believe we should have the freedom to be our true selves," the American coach said. "But there are rules and boundaries for a reason!!"

Aryna Sabalenka's fitness coach Jason Stacy on Instagram

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Martina Navratilova backed Aryna Sabalenka's fitness coach Jason Stacy's US Open move

Sabalenka's fitness coach Jason Stacy (third from left) pictured wearing XX-XY hat at Cincinnati Open 2024 - Source: Getty

The 2024 US Open wasn’t the only tournament where Aryna Sabalenka’s fitness coach, Jason Stacy, donned the “XX-XY Athletics” hat. He wore the accessory during the World No. 1’s Cincinnati Open title run, too.

Meanwhile, 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova noticed Stacy’s gesture during his presence in New York. The tennis legend, who has been very vocal about the exclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, commended the fellow American, for taking a stand.

"Thank you, Jason for supporting women’s sports," she wrote on X. "Being pro women is not hate, it’s actually progressive."

Aryna Sabalenka, too, has shown her support by liking "XX-XY Athletics" posts on social media.

Sabalenka on Instagram