When Fitness Trackers Were Banned, Whoop! Entered the Arena with ‘Smart Underwear’: A Data War Erupts in the Tennis World
They say “necessity is the mother of invention,” but sometimes “restrictions” also give rise to new innovations. Something similar and unique is being witnessed at the Australian Open, one of the biggest stages in tennis, where fitness bands that were removed from players’ wrists have now found a place inside their clothing.
What is the whole matter?
Recently, during the Australian Open, tennis legends like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka faced a strange situation. Just before the match started, umpires and officials instructed them to remove the ‘Whoop’ fitness bands they were wearing on their wrists.
Surprisingly, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had approved these devices, but Australian Open officials, citing the tournament’s strict rules, prohibited their use. Officials argued that wearing any device that collects data during a match could be against the spirit and rules of the game.
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
‘Workaround’ or ‘Revolution’? Whoop’s Strong Response
When the company saw that their fitness bands were being banned from the court, instead of giving up, they played a masterstroke overnight. Under the ‘Whoop Body’ technology, Whoop introduced smart underwear and apparel in which the fitness tracker can be discreetly fitted.
The company’s founder, Will Ahmed, announced this move by sharing a video on social media. He directly challenged the authorities, saying:
“We are shipping our connected underwear collection directly to Melbourne. Players can now wear it directly in their underwear instead of on their wrists. Our goal is to protect players’ right to access their health data.” Technology that doesn’t need to be worn on the wrist
People often think of fitness trackers as just wristwatches or bands, but Whoop’s technology is different. Its sensors are so advanced that they can accurately collect data on heart rate, recovery, and physical strain from different parts of the body (such as the waist or torso). The company claims that this “smart underwear” provides the same results as a band worn on the wrist.
Is this “smart cheating” or a right for athletes?
The tennis world is now divided on this issue. On one side are the organizers who prioritize the rules, while on the other are modern athletes who rely on real-time data (sleep, recovery, and heart rate) to improve their performance.
Currently, the suspense remains as to whether players’ clothing will also be “checked” on the tennis court, or whether Whoop’s “underground” solution will prevail. One thing is certain: this battle between technology and sports is going to become even more interesting in the future.
