Why Alcaraz, Sinner, Sabalenka were asked to remove fitness tracker at Australian Open despite ITF approval

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka were all asked to remove their fitness trackers during the ongoing Australian Open 2026. This has raised a serious debate among fans and experts about the rules around wearable technology in tennis.

Sinner was caught just before his fourth-round match against Luciano Darderi when umpire Greg Allensworth spotted the device under his wristband. Alcaraz and Sabalenka had faced similar orders at Melbourne Park.

So, why are wearable devices getting banned at the Australian Open despite being widely used on the ATP and WTA tours.

Sinner, Alcaraz, and Sabalenka were only attempting to monitor their fitness and performance during matches, and the devices they were wearing don't even come with a screen. So, why did the Australian Open organisers remove them?

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Why are fitness trackers not allowed at the Australian Open?

Tennis Australia, the organiser of the Australian Open, confirmed that wearable technology is not permitted at Grand Slam tournaments. This rule applies even though the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has approved the Whoop tracker as Player Analysis Technology (PAT).

The ITF and ATP allow devices like Whoop to measure fitness, heart rate, and other biometric data during matches, stating they pose no safety or competitive risk and are helpful for coaching.

"WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG are screenless wearable sensors designed to be worn on the wrist or other supported positions. They continuously track biometric data and motion during training, competition, and recovery. WHOOP 3.0 and WHOOP 4.0 are also approved as PAT," ITF's approval cerficate on their website reads.

However, the same ITF document also lays down specific conditions under which the devices can be used during matches, particularly concerning in-match communication or alerts.

"Permitted use is contingent on the disablement of haptic feedback. Inability to demonstrate this for WHOOP devices 4.0, 5.0, and MG will result in the player being prohibited from using the device. Players must demonstrate either that haptic feedback is disabled, or that their WHOOP device is a WHOOP 3.0."

The haptic feedback and alerts are one of the reasons the Australian Open and other Grand Slam events do not allow wearable devices, due to concerns over communicating coaching inputs during games, and betting integrity.

Australian Open organisers face backlash

Whoop founder Will Ahmed argued that athletes should have the right to track their own bodies, calling the ban “ridiculous” and insisting the devices are not "steroids" that would enhance players' performance.

"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," Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge said on Channel Nine broadcast.

"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," he added.

"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?" Woodbridge said.

Meanwhile, the players agreed to remove the devices without protest and continued with their respective games.