Grand Slam Clash Over Wearable Technology
A significant controversy has emerged at the Australian Open regarding the use of wearable fitness technology during competitive matches. Tournament officials have enforced a ban on devices such as Whoop fitness trackers, leading to prominent players including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka being instructed to remove them before taking to the court.
High-Profile Interventions
The issue came to the forefront when defending champion Jannik Sinner was asked by an umpire to remove a Whoop device concealed beneath his wristband prior to his fourth-round encounter against Luciano Darderi. Similarly, Carlos Alcaraz was approached mid-match during his victory over Tommy Paul and told to take off his tracker. World number two Aryna Sabalenka, a known ambassador for the Whoop brand, had her device removed earlier in the tournament.
"The umpire asked me straightaway, if this is the tracker. I said yes. He said remove. It's fine," Sinner explained after his match. "Rules are rules. I understand. I won't use it again."
The Regulatory Divide in Tennis
This enforcement highlights a notable regulatory split within professional tennis. While the ATP and WTA tours have permitted in-match wearable technology since 2024 and 2021 respectively, the Grand Slams operate under different protocols. A spokesperson for Tennis Australia confirmed the position, stating: "Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change."
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved the Whoop device for competition use in December 2025, provided haptic feedback like vibrations is disabled. However, Grand Slam tournaments, as independent entities, are not bound by this ruling.
Understanding the Technology and Its Applications
Wearable fitness trackers like the Whoop sensor are screenless devices that monitor a comprehensive suite of biometric data. This includes:
- Heart rate and heart rate variability
- Recovery metrics and activity strain
- Blood oxygenation and skin temperature
- Respiratory rate and sleep stage analysis
In sports such as football and rugby, this data is crucial for identifying when athletes enter a "red zone" of exertion, signalling a heightened risk of injury without adequate recovery. The data syncs via Bluetooth to a paired mobile device, allowing coaches to analyse performance and physiological load.
Player Perspectives and the Fairness Debate
Players have articulated clear reasons for wanting to use this technology. Sabalenka has publicly described how Whoop data guided her recovery schedule during her 2024 US Open triumph, advising rest days based on stress level metrics. Sinner, who endured physically taxing matches in Melbourne's heat, indicated he sought the data not for live in-match coaching but for post-match recovery analysis and practice session optimisation.
"It's more about [what] you can see after the match," Sinner noted. "These are datas what we would like to use also in practice sessions."
The tournament's stance appears partly rooted in concerns over competitive equity. There is an argument that players with greater resources could gain an unfair live data advantage if their opponents lack access to similar technology. This echoes historical debates in tennis, such as those surrounding the recent introduction of in-match coaching, which challenged the tradition of players solving problems independently on court.
Tournament's Existing Tech and Industry Backlash
Tennis Australia pointed out that the Australian Open already employs advanced technology to provide players with performance data. This includes high-tech camera systems that measure distance covered, directional changes, and sprint counts. The tournament also partners with Bolt 6 for its Electronic Line Calling system.
The ban has provoked a strong response from the wearable technology industry. Whoop founder and CEO Will Ahmed took to social media to criticise the decision, posting: "Ridiculous... Let the athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids!" A company spokesperson reinforced this, stating Whoop "poses no safety, fairness, or competitive risk" and that blocking access to personal health data does not protect the sport.
Looking Ahead
With Tennis Australia acknowledging "ongoing discussions" about potentially revising the rules, the controversy at Melbourne Park raises fundamental questions about the role of biometric data in modern sport. As athletes increasingly seek to optimise performance and recovery through technology, governing bodies face the challenge of balancing innovation, fair competition, and the traditional essence of the game. The outcome of these discussions could set a significant precedent for technology adoption across all Grand Slam tournaments.
