"A man playing against a woman is a very unfair matchup": Tennis association president quits as trans player Brooklyn Ross allowed to play in Women's Governor's Cup
Tennis News
President
of Wyoming Tennis Association Resigns in Protest Over Transgender Player's
Participation in the Governor's Cup.
The
decision to allow a transgender player to compete in the women's singles
category of the Governor's Cup in Wyoming has sparked controversy, leading to
the resignation of the president of the Cheyenne Tennis Association, Jackie
Fulkrod.
The player is
Brooklyn Ross, a 27-year-old from Colorado, who has previously competed in
women's tournaments at the college level and is set to compete in the upcoming
Wyoming Governor's Cup this weekend.
Fulkrod
resigned from her position, citing concerns about fairness and the integrity of
women's sports. She expressed her views to the Cowboy State Daily:
"I
believe that a man competing against a woman is a highly unfair matchup when
it's specifically meant for women in that particular bracket," she said.
Read also
Brooklyn
Ross, who underwent a gender transition six years ago, has been actively
involved in college tennis since 2019, notably concluding a recent season with
the Division II NCAA university, the University of Texas at Tyler.
Throughout
her journey in women's competitions, Ross has been met with positive and supportive
responses. However, the recent resignation of Jackie Fulkrod due to Ross's
participation has left her disheartened.
"So
far, it has always been positive and good," she said regarding her
participation in women's competitions.
"It
saddens me that this woman has resigned because of this."
Fulkrod,
whose mother also resigned from the association's board due to Ross's
participation, defended her decision to step down, stating:
"I
feel that having a transgender athlete compete in the women's bracket goes
against my personal integrity and what I believe in and value."
"My
decision to resign was solely based on the fact that we had no way to protect
our organization or protect our athletes playing in the tournament," she
added.
Fulkrod
also expressed concerns about Ross using female bathrooms at Cheyenne Central
High School, one of the venues for the Governor's Cup.
"There
would be other biological females using the facility at the same time, and I
think that is very wrong," she added.
Ross responded
her critics:
"They
probably haven't had the experience of seeing any trans woman play, and I'm
glad to be able to stand up for some of those voiceless people. Kids who have
to choose between their authenticity and playing a game."
"This
is an opportunity for them to come and see a trans woman competing and see a
real example, not hypothetical or theoretical," Ross added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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