Tennis pro Erin Routliffe has exploded over the lack of ‘robots’ at the Australian Open
Erin Routliffe maybe the only person unhappy that robots haven’t taken over the world.
The New Zealand tennis player and her partner Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada competed in the third round of women’s doubles at Australian Open Sunday when Routliffe exploded into a short tirade after she believed her opponent’s serve flew over the net.
Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada in action against Laura Siegemund of Germany and Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the women’s doubles third round match at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
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The contested point came during the tiebreak in the first set when Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil served. The head judge did not award the flight, and the point was awarded to Haddad Maija and her partner, Laura Siegemend.
But Routliffe argued the call.
Laura Siegemund of Germany and Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in action against Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada in the women’s doubles third round at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
“Oh my God, we have robots everywhere, but we don’t have one for mesh? Oh my God,” she said, challenging the judge’s ruling.
Despite her protest, the invitation remained. But Routliffe and Dabrowski won the next point and eventually the match, advancing to Thursday’s semifinal match.
Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada in action against Laura Siegemund of Germany and Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the women’s doubles third round match at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
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After a clip of Routliffe’s outburst went viral on social media, she admitted her behavior could have been “dramatic” but stood by her stance.
“I feel entitled, but also why so dramatically,” she said in a post on X.
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