The owner of one of the world’s leading technology brands, WHOOP, has revealed he is taking drastic measures to ensure athletes competing at the Australian Open can still wear his company’s devices during matches, despite them being banned.
A row over wearable fitness devices has swept through the Australian Open in the past week, with world No 1s Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as defending champion Jannik Sinner, all being asked to remove their wearable WHOOP bands ahead of matches.
Tennis Australia has confirmed that wearable fitness devices are not allowed to be worn during matches at the Grand Slams, but has added that ongoing discussions are taking place to amend the rule.
After advancing to the semi-finals of the women’s singles, with a 6-3, 6-0 victory against rising star Iva Jovic, Sabalenka expressed confusion at why players were able to wear the bands during WTA Tour events, but not at the Grand Slams.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has previously approved the use of WHOOP devices. Players are permitted to wear the bands on the ATP and WTA Tours, provided they have ‘disabled haptic feedback’ on their device.
‘The reason why I was wearing that on court is because we received an email that we got approval from the ITF (International Tennis Federation) to wear this device,’ Sabalenka said.
Will Ahmed (pictured), the founder of leading fitness brand WHOOP, has revealed that he is taking drastic measures to enable players at the Australian Open to wear his product
Aryna Sabalenka (pictures), and several other stars, have been seen being asked to remove their WHOOP bands while competing at the Australian Open
‘I didn’t know that the grand slams didn’t come to the same conclusion.
‘I don’t understand why because the whole year we are wearing them in WTA tournaments, all the tournaments I play we wear WHOOP (devices).
‘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.’
The specific reasoning behind why Grand Slams have banned the wearables remains unclear, but speculation has arisen that it could give some players a competitive advantage over others who do not wear the technology.
WHOOP devices allow players to monitor key metrics like their heart rate, blood oxygen levels and the exertion a person puts on their body. The data can help athletes better understand how they can improve their recovery following exercise.
Many of the world’s best sports stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Rory McIlroy and LeBron James, use the screenless wearables to monitor their health.
Earlier this week, WHOOP’s founder, Will Ahmed, branded the ban ‘ridiculous’, calling for the Grand Slams to ‘Let athletes measure their bodies’.
He added: ‘Data is not steroids!’
WHOOP bands allow tennis players to measure key fitness metrics to aid their recovery, and while they are permitted by the ITF, they are prohibited at the Grand Slams
Sabalenka explained that she was confused at why players could wear the bands during WTA events but not at the Grand Slams
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) was also asked to remove his WHOOP band before a match last week
Now, in a fresh update, Mr Ahmed is now taking drastic measures to get around the ban, revealing that he is shipping specially designed fitness clothing from his brand’s WHOOP Body apparel to top athletes who are still competing at the tournament.
The clothes look like regular fitness undergarments, except they contain specially designed pouches that athletes can attach their WHOOP devices to. The device remains in contact with a person’s skin and will continue to deliver key metrics just as the WHOOP band does.
Mr Ahmed also claimed that it will take a ‘strip search’ to prevent athletes from wearing the technology on the court.
‘UPDATE: We are overnighting our WHOOP Body collection to all the tennis players at the Australian Open,’ Mr Ahmed wrote on X.
‘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!!!’
Mr Ahmed accompanied the statement with a video clip of himself and members of the WHOOP team packaging up some of the brand’s WHOOP Body apparel.
‘We are here at WHOOP headquarters in the wake of an enormous scandal with the Australian Open,’ the WHOOP founder said in the clip.
‘The Australian Open has come out saying that the world’s best tennis players cannot wear their WHOOP during matches. This is in direct contradiction to what we’ve done with the International Tennis Federation, which says that WHOOP can be worn in matches, and it’s safe to do so.
Sinner (pictured) was also similarly asked to remove his WHOOP before facing off against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi
‘We are going to be shipping out our WHOOP body apparel … you can wear WHOOP in your undergarments. We will be shipping boxers, bras and underwear to the world’s best tennis players at the Australian Open, and that will allow them to be wearing these garments in matches, should they so choose.
‘Ultimately, we’re here to protect the players’ interests and their right to understand their health and performance.’
In response, Tennis Australia said that they would not be checking if players were wearing the garments. The governing body added that organisers would be ‘relying on the players’ integrity’.
It came after the organisation had issued a statement on the matter earlier today.
‘Wearables are currently not permitted at grand slams,’ Tennis Australia said.
‘The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change.
‘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.
‘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.’
Sinner explained that he accepted the rule but only uses the metrics from the band after matches
Sinner, meanwhile, opened up on how he uses the data his WHOOP device gives him, stating: ‘It’s more about what you can see after the match.
‘These are data that we would like to use in practice sessions because from that you can practice with heart rate, how many calories you burn, all these kind of things.
‘I mean, the umpire asked me straight away if this is the tracker. I said, ‘Yes’. He said (to) remove. It’s fine.
‘There are other things we could use. It’s the vest. But it’s a bit uncomfortable for me. You feel like you have something on your shoulders. It’s a bit different.
‘But rules are rules. I understand. I won’t use it again.’
