In a dramatic pre-match intervention at the Australian Open, defending champion Jannik Sinner was ordered to remove a banned wearable device just moments before stepping onto the court for his crucial fourth-round encounter. The Italian tennis star, who is seeded number one at this year's tournament, was spotted wearing what appeared to be a Whoop fitness tracker under his left wristband as he prepared to face Luciano Darderi.
Umpire's Sharp Eye Catches Banned Technology
Umpire Greg Allensworth demonstrated remarkable vigilance during the pre-match formalities, noticing the prohibited device as Sinner approached the net for the traditional coin toss. Without hesitation, Allensworth instructed the 24-year-old to remove the technology immediately. Sinner complied with the official's directive without protest, though the incident highlighted the ongoing tension between player technology use and tournament regulations.
Growing Pattern of Device Controversies
This incident represents the latest in a series of similar controversies at this year's Australian Open. Just one day earlier, Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz was also instructed to remove a comparable device during his match, while world-class competitor Aryna Sabalenka faced similar scrutiny earlier in the tournament. Notably, Alcaraz had attempted to conceal his device beneath his wristband, mirroring Sinner's approach, suggesting this may represent a growing trend among elite players seeking performance data during matches.
Regulatory Confusion and Player Advocacy
The situation has exposed significant regulatory inconsistencies within professional tennis. While Tennis Australia, as organisers of the Australian Open, maintains a firm prohibition against wearable technology at Grand Slam tournaments, the International Tennis Federation lists the Whoop wrist device among its approved Player Analysis Technologies. Furthermore, both the ATP and WTA tours permit these devices during regular tour events, creating a confusing landscape for competitors.
Whoop founder and CEO Will Ahmed expressed strong opposition to the tournament's stance, 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!"
Performance Context and Health Monitoring
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of challenging playing conditions at Melbourne Park. Sinner had previously struggled during his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri, battling severe cramping in extreme heat and later admitting he felt "lucky" regarding the tournament's heat rule enforcement. Whoop devices measure various biometric data including heart rate, body stress levels, and recovery metrics - information that could prove particularly valuable in such physically demanding conditions.
A spokesperson for Whoop reinforced the company's position, stating: "Whoop believes athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health - including during competition at events like the Australian Open. Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety, fairness, or competitive risk. Blocking access to personal health data does not protect sport."
Broader Implications for Tennis
This growing conflict between tournament organisers, regulatory bodies, and athletes seeking performance data raises fundamental questions about technology's role in modern sport. As wearable devices become increasingly sophisticated and widespread across athletics, tennis authorities face mounting pressure to establish consistent, transparent policies that balance competitive integrity with athletes' legitimate interest in monitoring their physiological responses during elite competition.
