Tennis: Unprecedented security for Serena Williams in Auckland

Serena Williams is being protected by an unprecedented level of security during her time in Auckland.

She will be accompanied by security guards around the clock - even when she is at her hotel - and a bigger team when she is making public appearances.

The security team will be in place 24 hours a day, for the duration of her stay.

Williams, who has won 22 grand slam singles titles and is regarded by many tennis experts as the greatest female player of all time, touched down in Auckland earlier today.

She was rushed through the airport terminal - only taking a few questions from a large waiting media pack - and taken straight to her central city Auckland hotel.

Williams is one of the biggest sporting names on the planet, with a profile that transcends sport. The 35-year-old was the second highest earning sportswoman in the world last year, and has huge endorsement deals with several major companies.

In terms of status, Williams is the biggest sporting star to visit New Zealand since Tiger Woods in the early 2000s, and the organisers are taking no chances.

"We take it very seriously," said ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge.

"[For Serena] it is easily the biggest level of security we have had for a player before. You do everything you can; our head of security is ex-SAS and we sent our senior management team for a dedicated security briefing to the United States earlier this year."

The level of security was noticeable from the minute Williams touched down in Auckland.

She was escorted to her transport by two security guards - who strong armed any media who tried to get too close out of the way - before being whisked off to her hotel. Williams is staying at a different accommodation to the rest of the field, although sister Venus is understood to be at the same hotel.

Serena later had a two hour practice in the early afternoon, with a security guard stationed metres away for the entire session while two others watched over centre court.

"Auckland is a pretty relaxed venue but there are still precautions that need to be taken," said Budge.

"And that is what we will be doing."​