A fresh controversy unfolded at the 2026 Australian Open after top tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka were instructed to remove Whoop fitness trackers before or during their matches, reigniting debate over wearable technology rules at Grand Slam tournaments.
The issue first came to light on Sunday when Alcaraz was asked to remove the device concealed beneath his wrist sweatband ahead of his fourth-round match against American Tommy Paul on Rod Laver Arena. The request came during the warm-up after the coin toss, when chair umpire Marija Cicak noticed the tracker on Alcaraz’s right wrist. The Spaniard complied immediately, but the incident — broadcast live — sparked widespread discussion among fans, analysts and former players.
A similar situation arose on Monday when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was required to remove his device during his match against Luciano Darderi. Aryna Sabalenka, a Whoop brand ambassador, had also been asked to take off the tracker earlier in the tournament.
While wearable fitness devices have been permitted on the WTA Tour since 2021 and the ATP Tour since 2024, Grand Slam events currently do not allow in-match usage, as they operate under separate governance structures. Tennis Australia, the organiser of the Australian Open, confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding possible future approval.
What are Whoop trackers and why are they restricted?
Whoop is a screen-free biometric tracking device widely used by elite athletes across sports. The wearable collects data such as heart rate, heart-rate variability, activity strain, recovery levels, blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, respiratory rate and sleep stages. This data is accessed after competition via mobile devices and is primarily used to monitor recovery, workload and injury risk.
Sabalenka has previously spoken about the role the device played during her 2024 US Open title run, revealing that it indicated she was in the “red zone” — a marker of increased fatigue — between matches, prompting additional recovery time.
Sinner, who struggled with extreme heat conditions earlier in the tournament, also highlighted the device’s importance for post-match analysis rather than in-match advantage.
“It’s not for live assistance,” Sinner said. “It’s more about what you can see after the match — heart rate, calories burned, and recovery data.”
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved wearable devices for in-match use in December following evaluation. However, Grand Slam tournaments have yet to grant clearance, citing concerns over fairness and accessibility, as such technology may not be available to all competitors.
A Tennis Australia spokesperson said:
“Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change.”
‘Data is not steroids’: Strong reactions from tennis community
The enforcement of the rule drew criticism from former players Todd Woodbridge and Lleyton Hewitt, who questioned the lack of consistency across tennis regulations.
Speaking on Australian television, Woodbridge said the data collected does not offer real-time competitive advantage and called for unified rules across tours and Grand Slams. Hewitt echoed similar concerns, admitting the inconsistency was difficult to understand.
Whoop founder Will Ahmed also criticised the decision, describing it as unnecessary.
“Whoop is approved by the ITF for in-match wear and poses no safety risk. Let athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids,” Ahmed posted on social media.
In a subsequent statement, the company reaffirmed its stance, asserting that athletes have a fundamental right to access their own health and performance data, even during competition.
As wearable technology becomes increasingly integrated into elite sport, the incident has intensified calls for modernised and uniform regulations across tennis’s biggest tournaments.
