Tennis Australia, the governing body for tennis in the country, recently issued a statement explaining why players were not allowed to wear WHOOP devices during matches at Melbourne Park.
Elite players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz, were asked to remove their devices before their respective matches, igniting speculation, as the WTA and ATP had approved such devices earlier, but the Grand Slams had not.
Tennis Australia Shares a Statement on WHOOP Devices With Potential Future Changes
The health-tracking devices, WHOOP, created by the American wearable technology firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, were restricted at the Australian Open. The World No. 1, Sabalenka, who has an endorsement deal with WHOOP, was asked to remove her band during her first-round match.
Whereas the two-time defending Sinner was subjected to the same when the umpire asked him to remove the device, which was underneath his wristband, before his fourth-round clash against Luciano Darderi. Apart from them, Alcaraz was also told to remove the device during his fourth-round match against Tommy Paul.
The WHOOP tracking devices measure sleep, recovery, strain, cardiovascular activity, and other health metrics, and these devices were approved by the International Tennis Federation. The Women’s Tennis Association sanctioned them in 2021, and the Association of Tennis Professionals did in 2024.
Through her recent X post, NY Times writer Jessica Schiffer shared her thoughts on the statement, mentioning the contrast, adding, “Tennis Australia has provided the same statement (below) to all reporters in the wake of the Whoop drama. I did wonder if other data tracking contracts at Slams might be one of the issues and it certainly appears like that could be a factor given their plug for Bolt 6 (their ELC partner). However, what it measures is significantly different from a Whoop so it doesn’t really add up.????”
Tennis Australia has provided the same statement (below) to all reporters in the wake of the Whoop drama.
I did wonder if other data tracking contracts at Slams might be one of the issues and it certainly appears like that could be a factor given their plug for Bolt 6 (their… pic.twitter.com/1bkiorpjmb
— Jessica Schiffer (@jessicaschiffer) January 27, 2026
The statement mentioned, “Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change. Some wearables provide athletes with an indication of internal load (measures like heart rate), which can give them a 360-degree view of the work they’re doing and how their bodies’ respond.”
“In terms of other data provided to athletes and their teams at the AO, players can monitor key external load measures such as distance covered, changes of direction, high acceleration events, and speed/spin of shots via Bolt 6 – TENNIS AUSTRALIA.”
READ MORE: As Umpires Force Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka To Ditch WHOOP, Furious CEO Blasts Australian Open’s ‘Ridiculous’ Act
For their journey ahead, Sinner is set to face Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz will clash against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, and Sabalenka will face off against Elina Svitolina in the semifinals.