A transgender tennis player has dropped out of Wyoming’s Governor’s Cup citing concerns for her safety and her desire to prevent a ‘circus’ atmosphere.

Brooklyn Ross’s participation sparked national fury, with Cheyenne Tennis Association President Jackie Fulkrod resigning in protest earlier this month.

Days after Fulkrod’s resignation, Ross, 27, said she would not be competing , telling Cowboy State Daily she did not want her presence to be the main focus or protests to ruin the event, which took place from August 4-6.

‘It just became more and more apparent that the environment may have not been a typical tennis tournament with things getting out of control and people’s safety at risk, including my own,’ she said.

The athlete from Colorado added: ‘I was just concerned that this could turn into some crazy type of event where people were protesting.’ 

Fulkrod, who had previously said ‘a man playing against a woman is a very unfair matchup,’ told the outlet she stands by her resignation despite Ross’ exit from the tournament.

‘Regardless of the withdraw, I stand firm on my belief that biological men do not belong in biological women’s sports, and in this case specifically a women’s only draw,’ Fulkrod told the local outlet. ‘That won’t change.’

Ross, a NCAA Division II college player, was supposed to play in the tournament’s open singles division, which has no age restriction but typically ranges from high-level high school players to women in their 30s and 40s.

She said she did not receive any personal threats and that tournament Director Peg Connor was supportive of her participation. However, he noted the event would have to be cancelled for everyone if protests got out of hand, Ross claimed.

‘And then nobody who signed up would be able to play,’ she added. ‘That’s just a total waste. I just want people to be able to play and don’t want it to turn into a crazy event.’

The tournament is recreational and offers no cash prices, celebrated its 51st year.

Ross, who was likely to win as she’s better ranked than the other competitors, said she just wanted to take a trip. 

‘I only signed up for this tournament so I could go on a little road trip to Wyoming and check it out a little bit, play a little bit of tennis, have some fun,’ she said. 

Ross transitioned six years ago and has been playing college tennis since 2019 – she recently completed a tennis season with a Texas college in the NCAA Division II – The University of Texas at Tyler.

She previously said the controversy over her participation in the Wyoming event is the first backlash she has faced in her career.

‘I’ve never had an issue or anyone (who) goes to the media or any problems like that, or concerns over the safety of myself or others until this,’ Ross said. ‘So, I figure it’s not worth it.’

Fulkrod, whose mother also resigned from the association’s board over Ross’ participation in the upcoming Governor’s Cup, defended her decision to stand down.

‘I feel like having a transgender athlete compete in the women’s draw is against my personal integrity and what I believe and value.’

‘My decision to resign was solely based on the fact that we didn’t have any way to protect our organization or protect our female athletes that are going to be playing in the tournament,’ Fulkrod added.

The Governor’s Cup tournament is overseen by the United States Tennis Association.

When asked about the decision to allow Ross to compete with women, director Connor referred Cowboy State Daily to the USTA’s transgender policy.

‘Tennis thrives when the sport embraces inclusion,’ the USTA says in its statement on transgender athletes. ‘For that reason, tennis is open to all regardless of one’s age, ethnicity, race, religious background, sexual orientation or gender identity.’