Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are among several players banned from using wearable fitness trackers. But why are they banned at Grand Slams?
Why are players unhappy?
Table of Contents
- Why are players unhappy?
- Why can players wear fitness trackers on ATP, WTA tours but not at Slams?
- Jannik Sinner Was Asked to Remove a Performance-Tracking device During the Australian Open
- What is the Rule Regarding Wearable technology in Tennis?
- Why Was Sinner Asked to Remove the Device?
- What are the potential Consequences of Violating the Rule?
Sabalenka and several top players have been seen wearing a fitness tracker on their wrist, a device which has been approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
But while the wearable trackers can be worn at most tournaments on the men’s and women’s tours, they have not been cleared for use by the organisers of the Grand Slams.
In other elite high-intensity sports, such as football and rugby union, data and fitness tracking are used to identify when players are in the “red zone” and could be more susceptible to injury without sufficient recovery.
“The reason why I was wearing that on court, because we received the email that we got approval from the ITF to wear this device,” Sabalenka said.
“the whole year we are wearing – on WTA tournaments,all the tournaments I play. It’s just for tracking my health,” she added.
“I don’t understand why Grand Slams have not allowed us to wear it. I really hope that they will reconsider the decision and let their players track their health monitor.”
Why can players wear fitness trackers on ATP, WTA tours but not at Slams?
Jannik Sinner Was Asked to Remove a Performance-Tracking device During the Australian Open
Jannik Sinner, the 2024 Australian Open champion, was asked by an umpire to remove a performance-tracking device he was wearing during his fourth-round match against Luciano Darderi, raising questions about the rules governing wearable technology in professional tennis. Sinner had been using the device during his third-round win to gather data for training improvements.
What is the Rule Regarding Wearable technology in Tennis?
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) prohibits the use of player-aids during matches, which includes devices providing pacing or performance-enhancing details in real-time.the ITF rules of Tennis, Section I.F.1 specifically addresses this, stating that players are not permitted to use “electronic devices…to communicate with a coach or to receive information relating to tactics or strategy.”
The rule aims to maintain fair play and prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage through real-time data analysis during competition. While data collection *after* a match for training purposes is generally permitted, using such devices *during* a match is a violation.
For example,in a WTA report on the incident, it was clarified that Sinner’s device was deemed to be providing information that could be considered a player aid during the match.
Why Was Sinner Asked to Remove the Device?
Sinner’s team wanted to collect performance data, including heart rate and calorie burn, to refine his training regimen. ESPN reported on january 21, 2024, that Sinner explained the device wasn’t intended for live use but for post-match analysis. However, the umpire persistent that the device’s capabilities possibly violated the ITF’s rules regarding player aids.
The umpire acted proactively, requesting Sinner remove the device before his fourth-round match against Darderi to avoid any potential rule breaches during play. Sinner complied with the request without protest.
According to the official Australian Open website, the decision was made to ensure compliance with the regulations surrounding electronic devices during matches.
What are the potential Consequences of Violating the Rule?
Violating the ITF’s rules regarding player aids can result in penalties ranging from warnings to point penalties, game penalties, and even disqualification from a tournament. The ITF Code of Conduct for Players and Tournaments outlines these potential sanctions.
while Sinner was not penalized in this instance because he removed the device upon request, continued use could have led to escalating penalties. The ITF has consistently enforced this rule to maintain the integrity of the game.
in 2023, a similar situation arose with a player using a smartwatch during a match, resulting in a warning from the umpire. This demonstrates the ITF’s commitment to upholding the regulations regarding wearable technology. Tennis.com reported on this incident, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of such devices.
