3 minute read
Seven-times champion Serena Williams has no problems with the absence of linespeople at the Australian Open.
Self-styled futurist Serena Williams is a convert to the benefits of tennis technology replacing linespeople.
Due to coronavirus protocols and the need to restrict the number of staff on court, the 2021 Australian Open is the first grand slam tournament with Hawk-Eye technology determining the line calls in all matches.
When she first encountered the system without any linespeople in Cincinnati, Williams was a sceptic.
"It was different; it was weird," the seven-times Open champion said on Wednesday after trouncing Serb Nina Stojanovic 6-3 6-0 to advance to the third round at Melbourne Park.
"But I like it now because it takes away a lot of the human error, which clearly I definitely don't need.
"I should be the biggest fan of that.
"Sometimes I definitely still want to see that ball, but ... even if I see it, the computer's going to show me what the computer just said.
"That's how I think about it.
"I'm a futurist, like Iron Man, so I definitely love technology and it's something that I invest in, so I think it's right up my alley."
Stojanovic had her moments against Williams before being inevitably overpowered by the No.10 seed in 69 minutes.
The 24-year-old Serb had claimed her maiden win at a major two days earlier against Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.
"She pushed me really hard and played really well honestly throughout the whole match," said the 39-year-old Williams.
"I had to really fight for all the games.
"It's always good to see young players like her come out and do so well - it's exciting for women's tennis."
Four years after beating older sister Venus in the 2017 final at Melbourne Park for her 23rd grand slam singles title, the history-chasing Williams remains one short of Margaret Court's Open era record of 24.
Williams' third-round opponent will be Russian teen Anastasia Potapova, who ousted Hungarian qualifier Timea Babos 6-2 6-4 earlier on Wednesday.
Williams and Potapova also met in the opening round last year at Melbourne Park, with the American emerging victorious 6-0 6-3.
