Tennis pro Erin Routliffe explodes over lack of ‘robots’ at Australian Open

Erin Routliffe may be the only person unhappy that robots haven’t taken over the world.

The tennis pro from New Zealand and her partner, Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada, competed in the third round of women’s doubles at Australian Open Sunday, when Routliffe exploded in a short tirade after she thought her opponent’s serve skimmed 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 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 a tiebreak in the first set, with Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil serving. The chair umpire did not allow it and the point was awarded to Haddad Maia and her partner, Laura Siegemend.

But Routliffe argued for 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)

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“Oh my god, we have robots everywhere, but we don’t have another one the web? Oh my god,” she said, challenging the judge’s ruling.

Despite her protest, the invitation stood. But Routliffe and Dabrowski won the next point and eventually the match, advancing to a semi-final match on Thursday.

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 at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

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 like I have a point, but also why so dramatic,” she said in a post on X.

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