Whoop Banned at Australian Open – Deploys Stealth Wearables Strategy
The clash between the screenless Whoop tracker and Australian Open officials has escalated into a high-tech game of cat-and-mouse – proving why phone-free wearables remain essential for elite athletes.
After umpires forcibly removed the discreet performance tracker from top players like Alcaraz and Sabalenka, Whoop CEO Will Ahmed activated Plan B: overnighting compression tops and underwear with integrated sensor pockets to circumvent the ban.
UPDATE: 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!!! pic.twitter.com/PZb6bzly1X
— Will Ahmed (@willahmed) January 28, 2026
Ahmed slammed the prohibition as an “enormous scandal,” citing ITF approval of Whoop as certified Player Analysis Technology. This move aligns with growing athlete demands for health-data access – similar to how fall detection wearables empower seniors to monitor safety independently.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner echoed the confusion, highlighting how players rely on biometrics like heart-rate variability – data unavailable through the tournament’s external Bolt 6 tracking system. “External metrics don’t show internal load,” he noted. This gap is why devices like eSIM smart watches remain crucial for real-time health insights without phone dependency.
Tennis Australia maintains its stance while acknowledging “ongoing discussions” about wearable tech policies. Meanwhile, the stealth Whoop Body rollout continues, with athletes testing sensor-embedded apparel comparable to non-invasive health tech like prescription smart glasses that monitor vitals discreetly.
As Wimbledon and other Grand Slams observe this showdown, the outcome could reshape wearable regulations in professional sports. With next-gen tech embedding biometrics into fabrics and accessories, the line between clothing and computer keeps vanishing – much like our need for phones in the era of autonomous wearables.