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

Erin Routliffe is perhaps the only person unhappy that robots haven’t taken over the world.

The New Zealand tennis professional and her partner, Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski, were competing in the third round of the women’s doubles at the Australian Open Sunday, when Routliffe exploded in a brief tirade after believing his opponent’s serve had grazed the net.

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The disputed point came during a tie-break in the first set with Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia serving. The chair umpire did not call a let and the point was awarded to Haddad Maia and her partner, Laura Siegemend.

But Routliffe challenged this decision.

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 third round of the women’s doubles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park , on January 20, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prangé/Getty Images)

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“Oh my God, we have robots everywhere, but we don’t have any for the internet? Oh my God,” she said, disputing the referee’s decision.

Despite his protests, the appeal was upheld. But Routliffe and Dabrowski won the next point and ultimately the match, advancing to a semifinal match on Thursday.

New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski in action against Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the third round of the women’s doubles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park , on January 20, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prangé/Getty Images)

After a clip of Routliffe’s outburst went viral on social media, she admitted her behavior could have been “dramatic” but maintained her stance.

“I feel like I’m right, but also why it’s so dramatic,” she said in an article on X.