Three of tennis’s biggest stars were instructed to remove banned fitness monitoring devices at the Australian Open, exposing a stark contradiction between Grand Slam regulations and those governing the wider professional tour.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner had his Whoop wristband spotted by umpire Greg Allensworth just before his fourth-round encounter with Luciano Darderi on Monday. The Italian had concealed the tracker beneath his sweatband.
Carlos Alcaraz faced identical treatment on Sunday when chair umpire Marija Cicak noticed his device prior to his victory over Tommy Paul.
Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka was similarly asked to remove her tracker before her opening-round match, appearing visibly puzzled by the request.
Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were all ordered to remove the fitness-tracking item
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The International Tennis Federation has approved Whoop devices for in-match use, and players may wear them during ATP and WTA tour events.
Whoop’s founder and chief executive Will Ahmed responded forcefully to the enforcement action, posting on social media platform X: “Ridiculous.
“Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety risk. Let the athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids!”
The American technology company counts some of sport’s most prominent figures among its users, including footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who serves as a global ambassador, alongside golfer Rory McIlroy and basketball star LeBron James.
The wristband monitors various biometric indicators such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels, helping athletes track their physical stress and optimise recovery following intense exercise.
Jannik Sinner was ordered to take his fitness item off
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Former Australian tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt offered a scathing assessment of the governing body’s approach.
“I’m not sure what the ITF are doing well at the moment anyway,” the 2002 Wimbledon winner told Channel 9.
“They’ve had a horror with Davis Cup and now this, and making new rules now, when you can use it on the WTA Tour, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.”
Nine-time Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge expressed similar frustration at the regulatory inconsistency.
“They worry you can use it for coaching. Well, we’ve got coaching!” Woodbridge said.
“Why can’t you have your own data? I don’t understand those rules. It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes our rules in tennis… one rule is over here and the other one says ‘no’. Can we get our rules the same please.”
Tennis Australia confirmed that wearable technology remains prohibited at all four major championships, though the organisation indicated this position may evolve.
Tennis Australia confirmed that wearable technology remains prohibited at all four major championships
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“Wearables are currently not permitted at grand slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change,” a spokesperson stated.
The governing body noted that some tracking devices provide internal load measurements like heart rate, giving players comprehensive insight into their physical responses during competition.
Whoop maintained its defence of player rights in a formal statement: “WHOOP believes athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health, including during competition at events like the Australian Open.”
The company added: “Blocking access to personal health data does not protect sport.”
