A tennis referee has arrived in Los Angeles to face murder charges after allegedly killing her 80-year-old husband with a coffee mug.

Lois Goodman, 70, was due to be a line judge at the upcoming US Open but was arrested in New York on Tuesday.

Goodman has since been flown to LA, where she arrived late on Thursday night, to face the charges.

Goodman's lawyer, Guy Oksenhendler, outlined her intention to fight the allegations, as well as questioning the authorities' decision to arrest her in New York.

"She's anxious to defend herself," said Oskenhendler.

"My concern is that their actions may prejudice her defence in California."

Goodman is a long-serving and well-established line judge, having worked at the US Open and Australian Open since 1979.