Erakovic in airport racquet drama

Marina Erakovic. Photo by Reuters
Kiwi tennis player Marina Erakovic tweeted her annoyance at Auckland Airport after she was barred from bringing racquets on board her flight to Los Angeles. Photo by Reuters

Kiwi tennis player Marina Erakovic has hit out at Auckland Airport after she was barred from bringing racquets through the airport.

Erakovic tweeted her annoyance this afternoon, noting that her two racquets were "deemed as a weapon" as she tried to board her flight to Los Angeles, where she is set to play in qualifying tournaments in the United States.

"I couldn't do anything, I had to put them in the hold and make it to my flight, which I did. I hope everything's okay," Erakovic told the New Zealand Herald.

Auckland Airport responded, pointing Erakovic to a list of prohibited carry-on items.

According to the airport's security measures, some everyday items cannot be taken into the cabin of an aircraft, but are okay to travel in checked-in luggage.

"All sports equipment that could be used as an effective bludgeoning weapon are restricted from carry-on luggage but they can go in your checked-in luggage," they note.

Sports equipment that must go as checked-in luggage includes tennis racquets, as well as cricket and baseball bats, golf clubs and hockey sticks.

Anyone carrying a 'bludgeoning weapon' will be asked to relinquish them, and if they refuse, the individual will not be permitted to move through the screening point.

Erakovic said the incident was the first time in 15 years she had encountered the rule.

"It's upsetting that it's the first time in 15 years this has happened. I haven't got to the bottom of 'why?' yet. Auckland Airport replied to me listing their prohibited items, but I'm just wondering when this came into effect because come January there will be some pretty upset tennis players [around New Zealand's local professional tournaments]."

"I understand it, but at the end of the day you've got to know the limits I guess. Hopefully my racquets are in one piece when I get to LA."

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