Aryna Sabalenka hopes the Australian Open will rethink their policy regarding the wearing of fitness trackers after easing into the semi-finals on Tuesday.
The world No.1 dropped just three games during her one-sided 6-3, 6-0 win over teenager Iva Jovic, who was playing in the last eight of a major for the first time at the age of 18. Sabalenka’s experience and powerful ball striking enabled her to dictate play as she fired 31 winners and saved all five break points she faced. She is through to the last four in Melbourne for the fourth year in a row and for the 14th time at a major event overall.
“In the second set, I felt like I had to step in and put even more pressure on her because I can see that she’s young, she’s hungry and I could tell during the match that no matter what’s the score is, she’s still going to be there trying and trying to figure her way,” Sabalenka said of Jovic.
“I had to step in and show the level and the class. I think it really helped me kind of just go for my shots and help me to trust my game.” She added.
Sabalenka is yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, which she has already won on two previous occasions. She is aiming to become the eighth woman in the Open Era to claim a hat-trick of titles at the event.
Whilst she continues her love affair with the Australian Open, Sabalenka has become the latest player to call for changes to the tournament’s ban on wearing fitness equipment that monitors a player’s health performance. Sabalenka was told earlier in the tournament to remove her fitness tracker prior to playing a match, as well as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s draw.
“The reason why I was wearing that on court was because we received the email that we got approval from the ITF to wear this device. I didn’t know that Grand Slams didn’t come to this conclusion.” She explained.
“I don’t understand why, because the whole year we are wearing (these products). It’s just for tracking my health. I don’t understand why Grand Slams are not allowing us to wear it and I really hope that they will reconsider the decision.”
A U-turn on the policy could be on the cards for next year, but nothing is certain. In a statement sent to the Associated Press, Tennis Australia said it is “involved in ongoing discussions on how this situation could change.” Known as wearables, they have been permitted on the WTA Tour since 2021 and on the ATP Tour since 2024. However, the Grand Slams have their own governing bodies with their own rules.
Regardless of what happens in the future, Sabalenka’s immediate focus is on her next match, which will be against either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina. She is currently tied at 6-6 with Gauff in their head-to-head, but won two out of their three meetings that took place last season. Against Svitolina, she has a commanding 5-1 lead.
“It doesn’t matter who is going to make it to the semis. It’s going to be a battle because whoever makes it there is an incredible player.” She said.
“My approach is going to be the same. I’ll be focused on myself and on my game, and I’ll be fighting for every point.
“I don’t care if it’s Coco or if it’s Elina. I’ll be out there, I’ll be fighting, I’ll be doing everything I can to get the win.”
Sabalenka has become the third woman to reach the semi-finals of six consecutive Grand Slam hardcourt events since 1988. Others who have done so are Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis.
