During a heated women's doubles match at the Australian Open, New Zealand's Erin Routliffe expressed frustration over the lack of automated net cord sensors. The incident occurred in the third-round tiebreaker against Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia and German Laura Siegemund. Routliffe believed Haddad Maia's serve clipped the net, a let that went uncalled by the chair umpire. Routliffe's reaction, questioning the absence of net-sensing technology despite the prevalence of other electronic aids in the sport, quickly circulated on social media.

Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski competing at the 2025 Australian Open. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

The disputed point proved pivotal in the tiebreak, but Routliffe and her Canadian partner, Gabriela Dabrowski, ultimately secured the victory and advanced to the semifinals. Following the match, Routliffe addressed her viral moment on social media, acknowledging the dramatic nature of her complaint while maintaining her belief that the serve had indeed touched the net. While the chair umpire's decision stood, the incident ignited a discussion about the potential use of technology to adjudicate net cord calls in professional tennis.

Laura Siegemund and Beatriz Haddad Maia during their doubles match against Routliffe and Dabrowski. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski in action at the Australian Open. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)