Tue, January 27, 2026
Professional tennis players told to remove fitness trackers during Australian Open 2026
Professional tennis players have been told to remove fitness trackers from their wrists during the Australian Open 2026 as such technology is not yet allowed at Grand Slams, although regulations may be changed in the future.
Health analytical devices were permitted by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 2024 and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 2021, and WHOOP health devices were permitted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in late 2025, as long as haptic feedback is turned off, which uses vibrations, forces, and motion to provide real-time tactile cues. However, they are banned from the Grand Slams which are governed separately. Some players like to wear the devices during competitions to track data such as heart rate to analyse after the match and to influence training sessions.
Ross Hutchins, Chief Sporting Officer for the ATP Tour, stated that authorising the technology was “a big step forward in our push to optimise player performance and prevent injury,” and that it contributes to players getting “the very best out of their careers.”
WHOOP CEO, Will Ahmed, stated that his technology “poses no safety, fairness or competitive risk” and should be authorised to “let athletes measure their bodies.” Some suggest that data tracking in this manner may pose safety risks due to data pressure causing overtraining, medical misinterpretation or distraction during matches.
However, WHOOP also stated: “Athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health - including during competition at events like the Australian Open…Blocking access to personal health data does not protect sport.”
Tennis Australia, which manages the Australian Open, confirmed that the technology is banned from the tournament but that it is “involved in ongoing discussions” about permitting the devices in the future. BBC Sport highlighted that some also oppose the devices because the technology could provide a competitive advantage to elite players through sponsorship deals, for example. Issues may also arise surrounding data ownership and its commercialisation.
16-time Grand Slam men’s doubles champion, Todd Woodbridge, expressed his frustration with fragmented governance within professional tennis on Australian broadcaster Channel 9: “So why isn’t a player allowed to have their own data and know how they’re feeling? It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes our rules in tennis, one rule is over here, and then the other one says ‘no.’ Can we get our rules the same, please?”
Medical Director at the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), Dr Robby Sikka, told the BBC that: “Wearables provide meaningful insight into workload, recovery, injury prevention, and clinical evaluation…
Like any technology, they have trade-offs, but the solution is education and consistent, science-based policy - not sudden bans without a comprehensive review applied equally to all players.”
He continued: “Other major sports leagues have already built thoughtful, evidence-based frameworks for wearable technology…
Tennis should meet that same standard.”
