Aryna Sabalenka is among the players being sent special undergarments by WHOOP (Image: Getty)
WHOOP have sent out special discreet underwear to the remaining players at the Australian Open to get around the tournament’s crackdown on their fitness trackers. Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were told to remove the devices on their wrists this week despite the fact they are approved under International Tennis Federation rules. Aryna Sabalenka is a WHOOP ambassador but was also ordered to take her player analysis technology off earlier in the same Grand Slam.
Sabalenka moaned: “The whole year we are wearing – on WTA tournaments, all the tournaments I play. It’s just for tracking my health. I don’t understand why Grand Slams have not allowed us to wear it. I really hope that they will reconsider the decision and let their players track their health monitor.” But now WHOOP have taken action so that the Belarusian world No.1 and her peers can still use the wearable analytical devices without having them on their wrists. Sabalenka has previously said she uses hers to monitor her stress levels between matches and to decide how long she needs to rest.
Founder and CEO Will Ahmed said: “We are here at WHOOP headquarters in the wake of an enormous scandal at the Australian Open. The Australian Open has come out saying that the world’s best tennis players cannot wear their WHOOP in matches.
“This is in direct contradiction to the work we’ve done with the International Tennis Federation, that says WHOOP can be worn in matches and it’s safe to do so. So what are we doing today? We are going to be shipping out our WHOOP body apparel. Little do you know, you can wear WHOOP not just on your wrist, but in your undergarments.
“We will be shipping boxers, bras and underwear to the world’s best tennis players at the Australian Open. That will allow them to be wearing these garments in matches should they so choose. Ultimately we’re here to protect the players’ interest and their rights to understand their health and performance.”
He added in a post on X (previously Twitter): “We are overnighting our Whoop Body collection 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!!!”
Aryna Sabalenka wears her WHOOP on her left wrist (Image: Getty)
Tennis Australia said in a statement this week that wearable tracking devices are not permitted at Grand Slams despite being allowed at lesser events. “Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change,” it read.
“Some wearables provide athletes with an indication of internal load (measures like 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.”
But WHOOP hit back: “WHOOP believes athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health – including during competition at events like the Australian Open.
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Carlos Alcaraz was ordered to take off his WHOOP device by the umpire (Image: Getty)
“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.”
While Ahmed vowed “we will fight this so athletes can have the data they need” and added on X: “Ridiculous. Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety risk. Let the athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids!”
While defending Australian Open champion Sinner explained: “There is certain data what we would like to track a little bit on court. It’s not for the live thing. It’s more about [what] you can see after the match. These are data we would like to use also in practice sessions, because from that you can practice on with the heart rate, how much calories you burn, all these kind of things.
“The umpire asked me straight away if this is the tracker. I said, ‘Yes’. He said, ‘Remove’. It’s fine. There are other things we could use (like) the vest but it’s a bit uncomfortable for me. You feel like you have something on the shoulders. But rules are rules. I understand. I won’t use it again.”