A fitness-tracking controversy has disrupted the 2026 Australian Open after multiple top players were caught attempting to wear WHOOP devices during their matches. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka all faced requests from umpires to remove the devices before competition began.
The situation has sparked significant debate across the tennis world, particularly since these trackers are approved for use by the International Tennis Federation and permitted on both the ATP and WTA professional tours.
Jannik Sinner Says He Won’t Use WHOOP Watch Again After Australian Open Incident
Multiple players were wearing WHOOP trackers during their matches, hidden beneath their wristbands, only to be asked by tournament umpires to remove them. Alcaraz was among the first when the umpire spotted his WHOOP band during his fourth-round match against Tommy Paul on Sunday.
Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner faced the same situation on Monday when the umpire noticed the device underneath his wristband just moments before his fourth-round match against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi.
During his post-match press conference, Sinner was asked about the device and why it is used, to which he replied, “There’s certain data that we’d like to track, so you can see after the match. It’s data we use on practice sessions, like heart rate, calories you burn.”
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He then explained that despite it being a crucial part of practice sessions, he immediately removed it and won’t use it again. “The umpire asked me straight away to remove it. Rules are rules, I understand, and I won’t use it again,” he said.
The WHOOP is a small, wrist-worn device that monitors data used by professional athletes for performance analysis. The device tracks heart rate, physical strain and stress, temperature, blood pressure, and other important metrics. Players use this real-time data to make decisions about training, recovery, and overall physical condition management.
What makes this situation even more complex is that the ITF has approved all WHOOP models, provided the device’s haptic feedback is disabled during matches. The WTA Tour approved in-match wearable devices back in 2021, making WHOOP the first fitness tracker officially permitted during professional women’s tennis matches.
The ATP Tour followed suit in 2024, granting its own approval, recognizing the technology as beneficial for player performance optimization, injury prevention, and overall recovery management.
However, Tennis Australia maintains a different standard for its Grand Slam event, stating that wearables are currently not permitted at the Australian Open.
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Sinner Faces American Ben Shelton in the Quarterfinals
Sinner defeated fellow Italian Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2), in a two-hour and 9-minute match on Monday afternoon. Sinner’s performance was particularly dominant in the first two sets, where his powerful serving and precise gameplay allowed him to take control of the match. The defending champion struck an impressive 19 aces and 46 winners without committing a single double fault, showcasing his serving efficiency.
The third set proved considerably more competitive, as Darderi mounted a comeback, earning four break-point opportunities at 4-4. Though he couldn’t convert any of them, he managed to force a decisive tiebreak. In the tiebreak itself, Darderi took a 2-0 lead, but after that, it was all Sinner’s show.
Sinner showed a champion’s level of play, winning seven straight points to secure yet another quarterfinal spot. Sinner will now face American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, who beat Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes. The Italian holds an impressive 8-1 head-to-head record against the American and enters the matchup as a clear favorite with an impressive 88% chance of winning, according to PFSN’s exclusive interactive simulator.
