“This partnership with WHOOP makes perfect sense for me.never have I had access to this amount of physiological insight on my phone,” the tennis star tells Boardroom.
Wearable fitness giant WHOOP has forged an endorsement and brand partnership deal with tennis star Sloane Stephens, the company announced Saturday.
Stephens wore a WHOOP band throughout the 2021 season to track data and feedback to improve her recovery, sleep and training — just before the Women’s Tennis Association reached a multi-year deal with WHOOP that made it the tour’s official fitness wearable and approved the digital fitness and health coach for in-match use. It’s also the official recovery wearable of the NFL Players Association.
The 28-year-old US Open champion becomes the first WTA player to partner with the brand in the world’s most visible women’s professional sport.
“This partnership with WHOOP makes perfect sense for me because it’s a brand that has become absolutely integral to my training routine,” Stephens told Boardroom. “As an athlete, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from incredible trainers and doctors over the years, but never have I had access to this amount of physiological insight on my phone.”
“I think it’s a game-changer, because we haven’t had anything like this before.”
Stephens’ authentic use of WHOOP’s technology will be further amplified in this partnership through social media and real-life activations, as well as numerous forms of cross-platform content. She’s also one of the founding members of WHOOP’s Women’s Sports Collective. Launched last month, the collective aims to drive new research, test upcoming product features, address the research and education gap within women’s performance, and advocate for changing the way women approach health and fitness.
WHOOP has made major strides in the sports industry over the last year, becoming the official wearables of the LPGA Tour and Crossfit, inking world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda to an endorsement deal and saw success with WHOOP Live. Leagues like the WTA, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Tour de France, CrossFit, and NASCAR brought real-time physiological data into live broadcasts and social media content, tracking biometric data for those sports’ top players, bringing fans unique biometric insights and access in real time.
“As I’ve gotten to know the WHOOP team and transitioned from a consumer to ambassador, their commitment to women’s sports, like their recent partnership with the WTA, and dedication to innovating in sport is unmatched and I’m proud to join the team,” she said.
WHOOP’s 4.0 product will be available to all WTA players in 2022, which will feature advanced algorithms to provide the most accurate heart rate measurements, measure skin temperatures and blood oxygen levels, and an advanced fitness and sleep coach.
“We’ll be able to provide viewers at home with physiological insights about these world-class athletes,” said Will Ahmed, WHOOP’s founder and CEO.
With Stephens leading the way, WHOOP is prepared to lead a technological and physiological revolution not just at the WTA but across the women’s sports landscape.
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