The world of tennis was shaken by news that went around the world in just a few minutes. After an intense and tough semi-final at the 2026 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, protagonist of a spectacular comeback against Jannik Sinner, released a shock statement, accusing the young Italian tennis player of having used the Whoop device during the match. Djokovic’s decision to contact the tournament organizers directly and ask for Sinner’s permanent suspension sparked a wave of reactions from fans, experts and professionals.
The incident not only sparked a debate about doping, but also raised broader questions about how professional tennis should deal with modern technologies in the context of athletic performance.
The semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner was one of the most exciting and dramatic matches in recent years. A match that saw the Serbian, in physical difficulty due to vomiting, breathing difficulties and chest pain, fight for over four hours before making an extraordinary comeback against the young Sinner. However, what happened immediately after the end of the match left everyone speechless.
During the post-match press conference, Novak Djokovic publicly accused Sinner of having used the Whoop device, a tool that monitors physical performance and which, according to Djokovic, was used improperly to improve performance during the match. “We can no longer tolerate situations like this. Sinner used the Whoop to monitor and manage his effort in order to gain an unfair advantage. It is no longer a question of fair competition,” Djokovic said, his face visibly tense.
Djokovic’s accusation had an immediate impact. In fact, in recent years, Whoop has become one of the most used tools by professional athletes to monitor their physical condition in real time. Although it is not a banned tool, Djokovic has questioned the fairness of using such technology in a competition context. “It is clear that this type of physical monitoring should not be permitted at an event like the Australian Open.
If an athlete has access to a device that allows him to monitor his fatigue in real time and regulate his effort, it is no longer a fair competition,” added the Serbian.
Djokovic’s sensational appeal forced the ATP and the organizers of the Australian Open to open an official investigation into the use of devices such as the Whoop during matches. The ATP said that the matter will be treated with the utmost seriousness and that all available data will be examined to understand whether there were any irregularities in Sinner’s behavior during the tournament. However, while the investigation is ongoing, the tennis community has become divided.
Some experts argue that the use of devices like the Whoop should not be seen as a violation of the rules, while others believe that the use of technologies that can directly influence athletic performance deserves stricter regulation.
Djokovic’s accusations sparked an equally strong reaction from Jannik Sinner, who responded with a short but incisive statement. “There’s only one thing I want to say: Novak doesn’t know what he’s talking about. If you don’t believe me, look at the data,” Sinner said at a separate news conference. His words immediately lit up social media, where fans were divided between those who support the young Italian and those who are convinced that Djokovic is right.
Sinner continued to defend himself, stating that he had always respected the rules and that he had never used any type of substance to improve his performances.
“This is a personal attack,” Sinner said, “and it’s not the first time Novak has tried to put me on the spot. But I continue to do my job and will not be distracted by these unfounded accusations.” The Italian then reiterated that his goal is to improve himself every day and that the use of physical monitoring devices is part of his routine, but that he never had any deceptive intentions.
The reaction from fans was equally polarizing. While some took to Sinner’s defense, viewing Djokovic’s accusations as an attempt to undermine his reputation, others saw his reaction as confirmation of his innocence. “You can’t just ignore what Djokovic said. He is a champion and would never make such a serious accusation without a valid reason,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Sinner needs to prove he did nothing wrong, otherwise he will have to face consequences,” another added.
Amid this media storm, the ATP issued an official statement confirming that it had launched an investigation into the case and requested that both parties cooperate fully. “We are committed to ensuring that every athlete follows the established rules, and if there are violations, appropriate action will be taken,” the ATP said.
The whole affair has highlighted a broader issue regarding the future of tennis and the use of modern technologies in the context of sporting competitions. While on the one hand the use of devices to monitor performance can be considered an opportunity to improve the physical preparation of athletes, on the other hand it raises concerns that such technologies could be used in order to gain an unfair advantage during matches.
The debate over how to regulate the use of technologies such as Whoop is set to grow in the coming months, as the ATP seeks to find a balance between innovation and protecting the integrity of the competition.
The future of Jannik Sinner and his tennis career could largely depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. If the ATP were to find that there had been irregular behaviour, Sinner could face severe sanctions, including exclusion from future events. However, if the investigation does not reveal any irregularities, Djokovic’s image could suffer a serious blow, especially if his accusations turn out to be unfounded.
The story between Djokovic and Sinner will not stop here, and will probably be the subject of discussions and debates for a long time to come. The tennis community is experiencing one of the most controversial moments in its recent history, and only time will tell how this story will evolve.
