Alcaraz wristband sparks controversy: “Data is not steroids”

Before facing American Tommy Paul on Sunday in the third round of the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz was forced to remove a device he was wearing on his right wrist after chair umpire Marija Cicak of Croatia told him it was not allowed during play. The device was a smart wristband that monitors recovery, physical exertion, and sleep, among other metrics. The Spaniard removed it without complaint and did not raise any objections afterward.

“These are tournament rules, ATP rules, ITF rules. You can’t play with it on,” Alcaraz said. “They’re things that help you take better care of yourself, manage rest, training, workload… but I couldn’t play with it. No problem. You take it off and get on with it.”

What happened at Rod Laver Arena, however, sparked controversy because the founder and CEO of Whoop, the company behind the wearable, insists that players are in fact allowed to compete while wearing the band.

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

Whoop athlete wearable

“Whoop was built for athletes. No screen. Always on. Performance-enhancing by design. That’s the point,” the company wrote in a post on X. “So when it’s authorized for use in competition, taking that information away is like asking athletes to play blind.”

In an official statement, Whoop added: “Whoop believes athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health, even during competition at events like the Australian Open. Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match use and poses no risk to safety, fairness, or competitive integrity. Blocking access to personal health data does not protect the sport. Whoop will continue to support athletes and our members in defending their right to their data.”

In addition to Alcaraz, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also attempted to wear the wristband but was instructed to remove it by the chair umpire during her opening match of the tournament. On social media, many have questioned why the Australian Open decided to ban the device.

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