Aussie tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt has taken aim at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for seemingly blocking players from wearing ‘Whoop’ devices at the Australian Open. Tennis fans and commentators are once again questioning the rules at the Australian Open after World No.1 players Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were asked to remove the item that is ambiguously banned on Sunday.
Alcaraz beat 19th seed Tommy Paul 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-5, setting up a quarter-final showdown with Aussie Alex de Minaur. De Minaur later dispatched 10th seed Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-1 6-1 in just an hour and 32 minutes.
Lleyton Hewitt (centre) has slammed the move to ban Aryna Sabalenka (L) and Carlos Alcaraz (R) from wearing Whoop devices. Image: Getty
On Sunday afternoon, Alcaraz was troubled by Paul as the Spanish star was pushed all the way by his American opponent. And Alcaraz was troubled before the match even started when he was asked to remove his ‘Whoop’ fitness band.
A ‘Whoop’ is a screen-less health tracking device that allows wearers to monitor sleep, heart rate and physical output (among a range of other things). Athletes wear them to help with recovery after competing, and Alcaraz had been wearing his under a sweat band on his right wrist throughout the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz had been wearing the ‘Whoop’ device under his sweat band at the Australian Open. Image: Getty
Sabalenka was also wearing one when the tournament began, but was asked to remove it and complied. Alcaraz was asked to remove his on Sunday in the fourth round – the first time officials had seemingly noticed he was wearing it.
But the move to seemingly ban the devices at the Australian Open has been slammed by tennis greats. The device is allowed on the ATP and WTA tours, and ‘Whoop’ is actually an official partner of the WTA.
They’re allowed under ITF rules – which are used at the grand slams – but only if a player gets pre-approval and complies with strict conditions. The use of them without pre-approval is banned.
Carlos Alcaraz was asked to remove the Whoop by the chair umpire. Image: Eurosport
Tennis world question why Carlos Alcaraz had to remove Whoop
The sticking point is that a Whoop can transmit data during play, which officials don’t seem to be so keen on. Debate has erupted amongst tennis fans and commentators as to why they’re not allowed, with many pointing out that mid-match coaching is now allowed, and there shouldn’t be any concerns with how data is transmitted from a wearable device.
Bu the obvious concerns are that wearable devices might be used at times when coaching isn’t permitted. Officials are likely wary of coaches having access to data about their players’ physical output during matches, which might be seen as an unfair advantage over a player who isn’t wearing one.
Aussie legend Hewitt declared on Channel 9 on Monday that rules banning wearable devices “don’t make sense”. Australia’s Davis Cup captain took aim at the ITF (not for the first time), saying: “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.”
Fellow Aussie great Todd Woodbridge added: “They worry (that) you can use it for coaching…well, we’ve got coaching. Why can’t you have your own data? I don’t understand those rules. it doesn’t make sense. Sometimes our rules in tennis…one rule is over here and the other one says ‘no’. Can we get our rules the same please?”
Whoop responds to Australian Open controversy
WHOOP have since released an official statement, saying: “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.”