The 2026 Australian Open sparked an interesting debate around the use of wearable technology to measure and track athletes’ performance on court. While the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association have allowed players to use smart watches during competitions, the Grand Slams have shown reluctance over fairness and data concerns.

Following athlete protests and pressure from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the remaining Grand Slam tournaments – including the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open – have agreed to trial the use of smart watches, citing the best interests and wellbeing of athletes as the primary motivation.

Smart watches like WHOOP use sensor technology to assess physical activity, and thanks to the personalisation of the technology, its affordability, and its availability, wearables have become a growing trend. As well as tracking performance, this technology has been proven to improve player safety and fitness, leading to the prevention of injuries.

The growing reliance on technology in sport has heightened concerns surrounding its use. Although smart watches have been granted temporary approval, the best course of action for athletes may be to explore alternative solutions that provide similar benefits without the associated concerns.

Here are a few alternative technologies that can be considered:

1. Racquet sensors: Sensors embedded in players’ racquets help to track speed and strokes, along with the strength. These racquets provide real-time data to improve athlete performance with the opportunity to monitor the smallest variations during the game.
2. Tracker vests: Two of the ATP-approved brands, STAT Sports and Catapult, make high-grade performance tracking vests for individuals. These devices focus on assessing a number of key metrics for the individual, along with GPS tracking and data-driven insights to assist in athlete progress.
3. Patches and wristbands: Similar to smart watches, these primarily use biosensors. This technology records heart rate, skin temperature, and provide other crucial physiological analyses, which work to offer data on training load and recovery.
4. Smart balls: With no mainstream applications yet, smart balls demonstrate a high potential for performance analysis. Their sensor technology is far more advanced than many comparable innovations, enabling valuable real-time tracking of factors such as spin, speed, and rotation. This data provides athletes and coaches with deeper insight into ball behaviour and the impact of racquet contact.
5. Insole sensors: Tennis players are no strangers to injuries, especially those affecting the legs and feet. Insole sensors, embedded within a player’s shoes, are capable of tracking foot pressure, balance, and movement patterns with a high degree of accuracy. This data can help monitor physical strain, improve movement efficiency, and potentially reduce the risk of injury.

Beyond these innovations, technologies such as smart courts and 3D motion sensor devices have continued to mark major milestones in tennis and wider sporting advancements. The rapid growth of the tech industry has led to an equally significant expansion in their applications within sport. However, like most innovations, these technologies also present challenges, including concerns surrounding fairness, data privacy, cost, and accessibility. Rather than imposing a complete ban, the more effective solution would be to optimise the technology and develop a framework for their use, as they influence athlete performance, as well as overall health.