“Data is not steroids!” WHOOP fires back amid Australian Open wearables ban

WHOOP is firing back as controversy continues at the Australian Open, after world No. 1s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were asked to remove their wearable fitness trackers before competing in Melbourne.

The drama erupted when chair umpire Marija Cicak instructed Alcaraz to take off the device—which he had been discreetly wearing under a wristband—before his fourth-round match against Tommy Paul. Alcaraz complied, but his visibly confused and frustrated reaction sparked widespread debate online and left many fans at home scratching their heads.

“Ridiculous. Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety risk,” Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, wrote on social media. “Let the athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids!”

Read More: Wardrobe WHOOPs: Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka run afoul of AO wearables rule

With the international spotlight intensifying and social media buzzing, WHOOP leaned into the moment, releasing a video featuring top ambassadors across sports—from Cristiano Ronaldo and Rory McIlroy to Sha’Carri Richardson and Sabalenka—wearing the signature band on their way to victory, juxtaposed with footage of Alcaraz being asked to remove his.

In the comments, fans rallied behind the players. “To be forced to take off my Whoop and miss logging my strain for even one day… I would be absolutely devastated,” one user wrote. “We stand with you Carlos.”

So what caused the confusion?

Wearables like WHOOP have been approved for in-match use for years on the ATP and WTA Tours and are classified as approved devices under ITF rules. But tennis’ famously complex governance structure means the four Grand Slams operate independently, and the Australian Open has not yet approved WHOOP for in-match competition.

Read More: WHOOP and WTA Tour agree to multi-year partnership

“The reason why I was wearing that on court, because we received the email that we got approval from the ITF to wear this device,” Sabalenka told reporters in Melbourne. “I didn't know that Grand Slams didn't come to conclusion.

“I don't understand why, because the whole year we are wearing, on WTA tournaments, all the tournaments I play, we wear WHOOP. It's just for tracking my health. I don't understand why Grand Slams are not allowing us to wear it, and I really hope that they will reconsider the decision.”

According to the ITF, all current WHOOP models (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and MG) are approved as Player Analysis Technology (PAT) for use during matches, provided haptic feedback is disabled and players can only access their data during periods when coaching is permitted. However, the ITF ultimately leaves the final decision to each of the T7 events, which can choose to allow or prohibit the device.

Tennis Australia confirmed there are “ongoing discussions” with WHOOP about the issue. In the meantime, organizers pointed players to data available through its technology partner, Bolt6, which also manages electronic line calling at the tournament.

“Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams. The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change,” organizers said in a statement.

“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 Bolt6.”

At the heart of the debate is the distinction between tennis-specific external load metrics and the deeper, personalized internal data captured through 24/7 health tracking—and whether having access to that information during a match could provide a competitive advantage for some players.

For many athletes, however, those insights have long become standard tools. WHOOP became an official WTA partner in 2021, was approved for ATP use in 2024 and by the ITF in 2025.

The data is also central to how teams manage training loads and recovery—particularly at an Australian Open played in punishing heat. On multiple days, extreme temperatures triggered the tournament’s Heat Rule, suspending matches and underscoring the physical toll on players.

Read More: “Your body goes into shock”: Jim Courier weighs in as AO heat rule sparks debate

“There is certain data what we would like to track a little bit on court,” two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner explained. “It's not for the live thing. It's more about you can see after the match.

“These are datas what 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…

“But rules are rules. I understand. I won't use it again.”