The controversy surrounding the use of fitness trackers at the Australian Open has intensified as Whoop, a prominent fitness tracking company, announced on Wednesday its decision to ship sensor-embedded undergarments to top tennis players. This move comes in response to the tournament’s ban on wrist-worn fitness trackers, a decision that has sparked debate among players and officials.
Whoop’s latest initiative involves a “body collection” of undergarments equipped with built-in sensor devices, which are being sent to prominent players such as women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, and Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz. The company aims to circumvent the ban by providing an alternative way for athletes to monitor their health and performance during matches.
Whoop’s Response to the Ban
In a bold statement on social media, Whoop CEO Will Ahmed expressed the company’s determination to support players’ rights to track their health data. “To all the tennis players at the Australian Open. The sensor can be worn discreetly and effectively in our new undergarments. It’s going to take a strip search to keep Whoop off the court,” Ahmed declared.
Ahmed further elaborated in a video statement, highlighting the inconsistency between the Australian Open’s ban and the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) approval of Whoop devices. “The Australian Open has come out saying that the world’s best tennis players cannot wear their Whoop (bands) in matches,” he said. “Now this is in direct contradiction to the work we’ve done with the ITF that says that Whoops can be worn in matches and it’s safe to do so.”
“Ultimately, we’re here to protect the players’ interests and their right to understand their healthy performance.” – Will Ahmed, CEO of Whoop
Players Caught in the Crossfire
The ban has left many players puzzled, particularly given that Whoop bands are permitted at other WTA tournaments. Aryna Sabalenka voiced her confusion, stating, “The reason why I was wearing that on court is because we received an email that we got approval from the ITF to wear this device. I didn’t know that the grand slams didn’t come to the same conclusion.”
Sabalenka emphasized the importance of health tracking, saying, “It’s just for tracking my health. I don’t understand why the grand slams are not allowing us to wear it and I really hope that they will reconsider the decision and let their players track their health monitor.”
Jannik Sinner, another player affected by the ban, acknowledged the rules but expressed a desire for more comprehensive data collection. “There is certain data what we would like to track a little bit on court. It’s not for the live thing,” Sinner remarked. “It’s more about (what) you can see after the match.”
Tennis Australia’s Position and Future Discussions
Tennis Australia has maintained its stance, stating that “wearables” like Whoop bands are currently not permitted at grand slams. However, the organization indicated that discussions are ongoing regarding potential changes to this policy. “The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change,” said a Tennis Australia representative.
Interestingly, Tennis Australia’s venture capital arm, AO Ventures, reportedly backs Bolt 6, the tracking device used for electronic line calling at the tournament. Players can access various data through Bolt 6, including distance covered and shot speed, but not the internal load metrics provided by Whoop devices.
“Some wearables provide athletes with an indication of internal load (such as heart rate), which can give them a 360-degree view of the work they’re doing and how their bodies respond.” – Tennis Australia statement
Implications and Future Considerations
The debate over fitness trackers at the Australian Open highlights a broader discussion about technology’s role in sports. As athletes increasingly rely on data to optimize performance and health, governing bodies face the challenge of balancing innovation with fairness and tradition.
The outcome of ongoing discussions between Tennis Australia, the ITF, and players could set a precedent for future tournaments. As technology continues to evolve, the sports world must navigate the complexities of integrating new tools while maintaining the integrity of competition.
As the situation develops, players and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the Australian Open and other grand slams adapt to the growing demand for advanced health and performance monitoring technologies.
