Melbourne — Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez delivered one of the most memorable moments of the Australian Open’s opening day — not only for her stunning on-court upset, but for an act of compassion that instantly resonated across the tennis world.
The 23-year-old world No.112 paused mid-match to assist a fainting ball girl in extreme heat before going on to defeat 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in three sets, securing both victory and admiration from fans worldwide.
Heat Halts Play as Sonmez Steps In
Sonmez was receiving serve early in the second set inside Melbourne Park’s 1573 Arena when the ball girl stationed beside the umpire’s chair lost balance and fell backward under the punishing temperatures.
Though the girl initially rose to her feet, she staggered again moments later. Sonmez immediately crossed the court and gently supported her, guiding her toward a courtside chair as the crowd applauded the gesture.
Medical staff quickly intervened while play was suspended.
Match Interruption Timeline
| Moment | Description |
|---|---|
| Early Set 2 | Ball girl collapses beside umpire chair |
| Seconds Later | Sonmez stops play and rushes to assist |
| Courtside | Player helps girl sit and receive medical care |
| Post-Delay | Match resumes after treatment |
Tournament organisers later confirmed the ball girl was treated and safely returned home.
Composure After Chaos
The interruption briefly shifted momentum. Sonmez dropped the second set 4-6 after winning the opener 7-5, but regrouped impressively to take the decider 6-4, sealing one of the biggest upsets of the first round.
When Alexandrova’s final shot hit the net, Sonmez froze in disbelief before lifting her hands to her head and saluting the crowd.
Wrapped in the Turkish flag, she left the court to a standing ovation as red-and-white banners waved throughout the arena.
“Being Human Comes First”
Speaking afterward, Sonmez explained that the instinct to help outweighed any competitive focus.
“She was really struggling. She said she was fine but it was obvious she was not,” Sonmez told BBC Sport.
“I told her to sit and drink something. As we were walking, she fainted — luckily I was holding her. She was shaking.”
“I always say it’s more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player. Anyone would have done the same. I’m just happy I could help.”
Sonmez also said she hopes to meet the ball girl later in the tournament.
A Historic Win for Turkish Tennis
Beyond the emotional scenes, the victory marked a milestone: Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to reach the second round of the Australian Open in the professional era.
Her rapid rise continues a breakthrough stretch in Grand Slam play.
Sonmez’s Recent Grand Slam Results
| Tournament | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | 2025 | Third Round |
| US Open | 2025 | Second Round |
| Australian Open | 2026 | Second Round |
A Player Driven by Purpose
Sonmez’s compassion aligns closely with her long-stated ambitions off the court. In a 2024 interview with Turkiye Today, she revealed her deeper motivation.
“If I wasn’t a tennis player, I’d be trying to help people — children, women. The world has many bad things happening, so I would want to be there making it better.”
That mindset was on full display in Melbourne, where empathy briefly overshadowed competition — and made her triumph even more meaningful.
Crowd Favourite Emerges
Australian Open crowds are known for embracing players who bring heart as well as skill. Sonmez earned both.
Her composed finish after an emotionally charged interruption showed resilience beyond her ranking, while her instinctive sportsmanship captured global attention.
As the tournament continues, the Turkish qualifier now carries not just momentum, but the backing of fans who witnessed a rare reminder that humanity can shine brightest under pressure.
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