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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) \u2014 Wearable fitness trackers will likely be OK for players to use in future editions of the Australian Open, where leading players Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> have been asked to remove their devices in matches this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Alcaraz<\/a> and Sinner<\/a>, who have split the last eight major men’s singles titles between them, were approached by chair umpires during the fourth round to take off the straps they usually wear on their wrists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Video of the interactions has drawn attention to a conflict between regular tournaments and the four majors. Sabalenka dealt with it earlier in the tournament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The devices are widely used in elite sports to collect physiological data that provides insights about health and performance in training, competition, recovery and sleep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The technology is approved for use by the International Tennis Federation and by the men’s and women’s tours. So far, the approval hasn’t extended to the four Grand Slam tournaments which include the Australian, French and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, that’s why the chair umpire approached top-ranked Alcaraz during his fourth-round match against Tommy Paul and asked him to take it off. The 22-year-old Alcaraz immediately complied, taking off his sweatband and removing the strap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams,\u201d Tennis Australia said in a statement. \u201cThe Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tennis Australia said some wearables provide athletes with an indication of internal load \u2014 measures such as heart rate \u2014 \u201cwhich can give them a 360-degree view of the work they\u2019re doing and how their bodies\u2019 respond.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tournament organizers said players had access to data at the Australian Open that helped them monitor \u201ckey external load measures\u201d such as distance covered, changes of direction, high acceleration events and speed and spin of shots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The technology provider, WHOOP, describes it as \u201cyour 24\/7 wearable coach designed to help you improve your health, fitness, and longevity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a social media post, the company said the technology is \u201cperformance-enhancing \u2014 by design. That\u2019s the whole point.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cTaking that insight away is like asking athletes to play blind.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sinner, the two-time Australian Open winner, said the data collected from his wrist device during matches helps with recovery and preparation for future matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThere is certain data what we would like to track a little bit on court. It\u2019s not for the live thing,\u201d he said. “It\u2019s more about you can see after the match. These are data we would like to use also in practice sessions because from that you can practice on with the heart rate, how much calories you burn, all these kind of things.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After his fourth-round win over fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, Sinner said he also accepted the umpire’s decision immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine. There are other things we could use \u2014 (like) the vest. But it\u2019s a bit for me uncomfortable \u2014 you feel like you have something on the shoulders. It\u2019s a bit different,\u201d he said. \u201cBut rules are rules. I understand. I won\u2019t use it again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n