Melbourne, Australia – A debate is brewing at the Australian Open over the use of smartwatches by tennis players, with several top stars facing scrutiny for potentially violating tournament regulations.
Smartwatches Under Scrutiny at Australian Open
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Top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been asked to remove wrist-worn devices during matches.
- Jannik Sinner, the world No. 2, was asked to remove a wristband during his fourth-round match against Luciano Darderi.
- World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka have also been cautioned about wearing fitness trackers.
- While permitted in some professional tennis events, the use of these devices is currently prohibited at the four Grand Slam tournaments.
The controversy surfaced on January 27th when Australia’s Yahoo Sports reported that Jannik Sinner had become the latest player to run afoul of Australian Open rules. During his match against Luciano Darderi on January 26th, the Italian was instructed by the chair umpire to remove a band he was wearing on his wrist. It’s a situation that’s raising eyebrows and questions about the evolving intersection of technology and tradition in the sport.
Data Tracking and Competitive Edge
Sinner wasn’t alone. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the top-ranked players in the men’s and women’s singles, respectively, were also told they couldn’t play with the fitness trackers they were wearing. Both Alcaraz and Sinner had attempted to conceal the devices under their wristbands, but were still detected by officials.
These devices, as Yahoo Sports Australia explained, allow athletes to monitor crucial data points like heart rate changes and calorie expenditure, providing valuable insights that can inform their training and in-game strategies. The data is intended to be used as reference material *after* the match, offering a deeper understanding of performance.
Currently, these measuring devices are allowed in regular professional tennis tour matches and in International Tennis Federation (ITF) events, provided prior approval is obtained. However, the stricter regulations at the four major tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open – are causing friction with some players.
![Arina Sabalenka [AFP=연합뉴스]](https://img4.daumcdn.net/thumb/R658x0.q70/?fname=https://t1.daumcdn.net/news/202601/27/yonhap/20260127142635530oatj.jpg)
Sinner, after completing his match on January 26th, clarified his position, stating, “The data obtained through this device will not be used during the game,” and emphasizing that it’s “intended to be used as reference material after the game.” He recounted the interaction with the umpire: “The referee asked me, ‘Is that thing on your wrist a tracker?’ I said ‘yes,’ and then he asked me to take it off.”
Calls for Consistency
Sabalenka echoed these sentiments following her quarterfinal victory against Iva Jovic on January 27th. “I don’t understand why they can’t wear them at major tournaments even though they are approved by the ITF,” she said, adding, “This decision will have to change in the future.”
The debate also touches on sponsorship deals. Retired Spanish legend Rafael Nadal famously had a sponsorship agreement with Richard Mille, a luxury watch brand, and wore their timepieces during his matches. Roger Federer, also retired from Switzerland, had a long-standing relationship with Rolex, though he typically reserved wearing the watch for off-court events.
