Aryna Sabalenka expressed her confusion over being instructed to remove her wearable fitness tracker prior to one of her matches at the Australian Open, calling on the grand slam tournaments to rethink their stance on the issue. Sabalenka, along with fellow players Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, was seen wearing the Whoop fitness tracker during the tournament but was told to take it off as it has not yet received approval from the grand slam organizers.
Although the International Tennis Federation (ITF) granted approval for the trackers in December, the WTA has had a partnership with Whoop since 2021, and the ATP approval is set for 2024. Tennis Australia, the event’s organizing body, confirmed that such wearable technology is currently prohibited at grand slam events, although discussions are underway to potentially allow the use of these devices in the future.
Sabalenka highlighted her surprise at the rule, stating, “The reason why I was wearing that on court is because we received the email that we got approval from the ITF to wear this device. I didn’t know that grand slams didn’t come to conclusion.” Her comments reflect a growing dialogue in the sport about the integration of technology and its potential benefits for player performance, hinting at a possible shift in regulations as tournaments look to embrace new innovations.
This situation underscores the ongoing evolution within the sport of tennis as it navigates the balance between tradition and modern advancements. As discussions continue, it remains hopeful that such wearable technology could one day become an integral part of player training and performance strategies, enhancing the experience for both athletes and fans alike.