The unfolding dialogue about transgender athletes in sports has drawn in notable voices. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has actively contributed, expressing reservations, notably concerning fairness in women’s competitions. Her perspective often resonates with that of best-selling author JK Rowling. Last year, when Rowling encountered criticism around her Edinburgh statue, with some labeling her views on transgender matters as “mindlessly hating,” Navratilova firmly countered, “There is absolutely nothing mindless about JK Rowling- ever. Try again with your mindless attack.” Even now, as the discussion evolves with updates like recent NHS guidance, Navratilova’s support for Rowling’s viewpoint persists.
On May 15, it was revealed that the NHS has dropped its previous minimum age of seven for children to access specialist gender clinics. Now, even nursery-age toddlers who identify as transgender can receive support through these clinics. This is a major shift from the NHS’s earlier stance that children under seven were “just too young” to be considered for gender dysphoria treatment. While these young children aren’t prescribed puberty blockers or hormones, they are offered counselling and family support. JK Rowling shared her thoughts on this development soon after the announcement.
She wrote on X, “The class action lawsuits coming down the line are going to turn all previous medical scandals into mere footnotes. The medical establishment has buckled to the demands of an unfalsifiable ideology and children are being sacrificed on its altar.” Expressing grave concern over the NHS’s decision to treat nursery-age children at gender clinics, predicting significant future medical scandals and asserting that children are being harmed due to ideological pressures. To which, Martina wrote back, “This won’t end well for NHS.” agreeing with the author.
This won’t end well for NHS. https://t.co/wnjWR42Deh
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 15, 2025
It’s not the first time these two have shared similar views. In March, World Athletics announced a controversial new rule: cheek swabs to definitively determine an athlete’s biological sex. Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics President, called it essential to safeguard women’s sports, saying, “It’s important to do it because it maintains everything that we’ve been talking about… not just talking about the integrity of female women’s sport, but actually guaranteeing it.” JK Rowling quickly took notice.
Rowling responded to a Daily Mail tweet stating, “Transgender athletes stamped out of sport as new bombshell rules force women to prove their birth gene,” by clarifying, “Or, to put it another way: ‘a cheek swab will be introduced to ensure fair sport for women and girls. Trans-identified men remain free to play sport in the male category.’” Martina Navratilova backed Rowling, saying, “This is exactly right. Pretty straightforward,” and later gave a triple thumbs-up emoji.
Just yesterday, she backed Jennifer Sey, former U.S. gymnastics champion, who criticized a transgender girl winning a Pennsylvania high school race. Sey tweeted, “No honest person looks at ‘Luce’ & thinks he’s a girl. When boys compete in girls’ track and field, they win. In Pennsylvania too.” Martina called them “Cheaters. And they know it.”
Navratilova has long shown a knack for aligning with like-minded voices, notably standing with JK Rowling and clearly outlining the issues with their opponents.
Martina calls out critics, explaining that “violence is the problem.”
Back in 2023, a Twitter thread ignited a fiery debate after someone shared the podcast The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. Davina McCall, the English TV host, called the podcast balanced, but things quickly heated up when a user defended Rowling’s views. Martina Navratilova retweeted that defense, stirring the conversation further.
Not everyone was thrilled. One commenter called out Navratilova, asking if she fully supported Rowling and threatening to unfollow her. The tennis legend didn’t hold back, replying, “My retweeting is not the problem. The violence is the problem. I am indeed a full supporter of JK Rowling.” She pointed out that attacks from trans activists have been “mostly one way traffic on that front.”
Navratilova stood her ground, reaffirming her opposition to transgender inclusion in women’s sports. This exchange showed just how charged and divided the discussion remains. Especially when high-profile voices get involved.
With the NHS’s latest announcement stirring things up again, this debate is far from cooling down. Expect Navratilova and Rowling to keep speaking out loud and clear. What’s your take? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The post “This Won’t End Well…,” Martina Navratilova Stands by J.K. Rowling’s Warning Over Medical Scandals in NHS Transgender Care appeared first on EssentiallySports.
