Australian Open bosses respond as Carlos Alcaraz told to remove banned device in match | Tennis | Sport
Carlos Alcaraz was forced to take off his WHOOP mid-match (Image: Channel 9)
Tennis Australia has spoken out after world No. 1s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were told to remove wearable fitness trackers during their latest matches at the Australian Open. Both took to the court wearing WHOOP devices, which caused confusion, as WHOOP’s 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and MG devices are approved player analysis technology devices under International Tennis Federation rules.
The ITF website states: “Player Analysis Technology (PAT) includes any equipment that collects, stores, transmits, analyses or communicates information on player performance, and may be a stand-alone device or incorporated within existing equipment. The Rules of Tennis state that any PAT to be used in a tournament which is played according to the Rules must be named on the list of products below, which have been tested and Approved as conforming to the specifications laid down in Appendix III of the Rules.”
WHOOP bosses weren’t happy that Alcaraz and Sabalenka were unable to wear their devices on their wrists at the Australian Open. Six-time Major winner Alcaraz removed his with no protest when chair umpire Marija Cicak spotted him wearing it early in his fourth-round clash with Tommy Paul.
Sabalenka, a WHOOP ambassador, also complied when asked to remove her screenless tracking device earlier in the tournament. Videos of Alcaraz being told he couldn’t wear his WHOOP have circulated on social media, sparking backlash.
But Tennis Australia has now confirmed that such wearable tracking devices are still not permitted at Grand Slam tournaments. “Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change,” they said in a statement.
“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.”
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Aryna Sabalenka was also asked to remove her wearable device (Image: Getty)
WHOOP released its own statement, arguing that the wearable technology did not give players an unfair competitive advantage. It read: “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. WHOOP will continue to stand with athletes and our members to defend their right to their data.”
Will Ahmed, the WHOOP founder and CEO, also tweeted: “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!”
Retired Aussie tennis legends Lleyton Hewitt and Todd Woodbridge also hit out at the decision not to allow Alcaraz and Sabalenka to wear the trackers on the court.
Hewitt, who captains Australia’s Davis Cup team, told host broadcaster Channel 9: “I’m not sure what the ITF are doing well at the moment anyway. 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.”
Woodbridge added: “We saw yesterday that Carlos Alcaraz had the WHOOP underneath his sweatband and, of course, it says the WTA have a deal where the women can wear it at their times, the ITF say you can’t wear it. Now, a WHOOP is to collect data about how you’re feeling and they worry about perhaps you could use it for coaching.
“We’ve got coaching; why can’t you have your own data? I don’t understand those rules. So this provides blood readings, pulse rates. This [tracks] your rest, your heart rate, how your body is, sleeping patterns, how much working recovery, all of that type of stuff.
“So why isn’t a player allowed to have their own data and know how they’re feeling? It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes our rules in tennis, one rule is over here and then the other one says ‘no’. Can we get our rules the same, please?”
