Not for Sabalenka, Sinner and Alcaraz now, but wearables could be OK at future Australian Opens

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — 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 have been asked to remove their devices in matches this year.

Sabalenka wants the ban overturned now. The top-ranked player in women's tennis, aiming for a third Australian title in four years, said after her quarterfinal win Tuesday that the Australian Open and other three majors are out of step with the rest of tennis.

Alcaraz and Sinner, who have split the last eight major men's singles titles between them, were approached by chair umpires during the fourth round on Sunday and Monday to take off the straps they usually wear on their wrists.

Video of the interactions drew attention to a conflict between regular tournaments and the four majors.

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.

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.

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.

“Wearables are currently not permitted at Grand Slams,” Tennis Australia said in a statement. “The Australian Open is involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change.”

Tennis Australia said some wearables provide athletes with an indication of internal load — measures such as heart rate — “which can give them a 360-degree view of the work they’re doing and how their bodies’ respond.”

Tournament organizers said players had access to data at the Australian Open that helped them monitor “key external load measures” such as distance covered, changes of direction, high acceleration events and speed and spin of shots.

The technology provider, WHOOP, describes it as “your 24/7 wearable coach designed to help you improve your health, fitness, and longevity.”

In a social media post, the company said the technology is “performance-enhancing — by design. That’s the whole point."

“Taking that insight away is like asking athletes to play blind.”

Sabalenka said she received an email that the devices had approval from the ITF and “I didn’t know that the Grand Slams didn’t come to the same conclusion.”

“I don’t understand why because the whole year we are wearing them in WTA tournaments, all the tournaments I play," she said. "I don’t understand why the Grand Slams are not allowing us to wear it and I really hope that they will reconsider the decision and let their players track their health monitor.”

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.

“There is certain data what we would like to track a little bit on court. It’s not for the live thing,” he said. "It’s 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."

After his fourth-round win over fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, Sinner said he also accepted the umpire's decision immediately.

“It’s fine. There are other things we could use — (like) the vest. But it’s a bit for me uncomfortable — you feel like you have something on the shoulders. It’s a bit different,” he said. “But rules are rules. I understand. I won’t use it again.”

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus places an ice pack to her head during her quarterfinal match against Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after defeating Iva Jovic of the U.S. in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus signs autographs after defeating to Iva Jovic of the U.S. in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Tommy Paul of the U.S.during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a forehand return to his compatriot Luciano Darderi during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)