The ATP Tour will now allow players to wear human performance bands, following a controversy at the Australian Open.
Some of the biggest players in the tournament, including Australian Open winner Carlos Alcaraz, were told to take off their Whoop bands in Melbourne.
The bands monitor performance, which has become increasingly important in the data-driven landscape of modern sport.
Following the disgruntlement from top players, the ATP Tour has now allowed human performance bands to be worn in matches.
The ATP Tour allows wearable technology after Australian Open controversy
Following an ATP Tour board meeting following the Australian Open, ‘permitted wearable devices’ will now be allowed at events.
Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Alcaraz were all asked to remove data performance bands during the first Grand Slam of the year.
Just a month later, that will no longer be the case following a swift U-turn from the tennis governing body.
In a new rule, the ATP Tour states: “The board approved a rule that extends to the range of permitted wearable devices providers and on-court use by players in ATP competition, and authorised management to determine and finalize the implementation details, including what, if any, new data governance controls to implement.”
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
Following the sanction at the Australian Open, a spokesperson for Whoop said: “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.”
Each player took their human performance band off without much fuss, but that will not be the case any longer.
Tennis, much like most other elite sports, has been increasingly dominated by data in the last two decades.
From improving a serve, to reaching peak fitness, all of the elite players on the ATP and WTA Tour are listening to their data.
Why players were unhappy with the Australian Open ban
Sabalenka was particularly unhappy with the rule change as she shared her bemusement at the Australian Open.
“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,” explained the world number one in one of her press conferences.
Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek… who do you prefer? 🤔
“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.”
Sabalenka, as well as Alcaraz and Sinner, will surely be delighted with the quickness from the Tour in responding to the criticisms.
There will be no such controversy at the next Grand Slam, which is set to be Roland Garros in May.
