'Doesn't make sense': Greats angered after Carlos Alcaraz forced to remove device
Updated . First published
Australian tennis legends Todd Woodbridge and Lleyton Hewitt have hit out at Australian Open tournament officials and the ITF, saying "they do not understand" why Carlos Alcaraz was ordered to remove his Whoop band during his match against Tommy Paul.
Despite Alcaraz securing a 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5 win, the match was overshadowed by a mid-match interruption by chair umpire Marija Cicaka, who instructed the Spaniard to remove his Whoop band underneath his sweatband.
Woodbridge led the criticism, pointing out glaring inconsistencies between different tennis governing bodies.
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"We saw yesterday that Carlos Alcaraz had the Whoop underneath his sweatband and, of course, it says the WTA have a deal where the women can wear it at their times, the ITF say you can't wear it," Woodbridge said on Nine.
"Now, a Whoop is to collect data about how you're feeling and they worry about perhaps you could use it for coaching.
"We've got coaching; why can't you have your own data?
"I don't understand those rules.
"So this provides blood readings, pulse rates.
Alcaraz was asked by the chair umpire to take off his Whoop band. Stan
"This [tracks] your rest, your heart rate, how your body is, sleeping patterns, how much working recovery, all of that type of stuff.
"So why isn't a player allowed to have their own data and know how they're feeling? It doesn't make sense.
"Sometimes our rules in tennis, one rule is over here and then the other one says 'no'.
"Can we get our rules the same, please?"
"Do we really need the ITF? They've had a horror with Davis Cup and now with this, making new rules ... When you can use it on the WTA Tour, it doesn't make any sense whatsoever," argued Hewitt.
"This is just a player wellness thing that they can control," Woodbridge added.
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The instruction given to Alcaraz sparked questions as the Spaniard had worn the Whoop band in previous matches at the tournament.
Whoop founder Will Ahmed hit back on social media, claiming the device is approved.
"Whoop is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety risk," Ahmed posted on X.
But veteran tennis commentator Mark Petchey disagreed, saying: "You're not allowed to play with a Whoop watch here or anything that monitors your vitals or anything else."
Women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka was also asked to remove her performance tracker before her match earlier on Sunday.
Whoop bands and performance trackers are listed as an approved device on the International Tennis Federation's own website.
"WHOOP believes athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health – including during competition at events like the Australian Open," the company said in a statement.
"WHOOP is approved by the International Tennis Federation for in-match wear and poses no safety, fairness, or competitive risk.
Alcaraz took off his Whoop band for the match. Stan
"Blocking access to personal health data does not protect sport. WHOOP will continue to stand with athletes and our members to defend their right to their data."
Alcaraz wasn't asked about the issue post-match and Australian Open officials have yet to comment on the matter either.
