7 months ago
Sonmez Wins Hearts at Aus Open
Zeynep Sonmez is a tennis player from Turkey.
During her match at the Australian Open, a ball girl fainted because it was very hot.
Sonmez stopped playing, helped the girl to a seat, and then won her match.
This was a big deal because she is the first Turkish woman to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
She has also done well in other big tournaments like Wimbledon and the US Open.
People liked how kind she was to the ball girl.
Sonmez said it's more important to be a good person than a good tennis player, and she's happy she could help.
The match was close, with Sonmez winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 against a higher-ranked player.
Zeynep Sonmez helped a ball girl who fainted during her match at the Australian Open.
She stopped playing to assist the girl and then won her match 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
She has previously reached the third round at Wimbledon and the second round at the US Open.
Her actions were praised by fans for her kindness and sportsmanship.
- Who
- Zeynep Sonmez, a Turkish tennis player, and a ball girl at the Australian Open.
- What
- Sonmez helped a ball girl who fainted during her match and then won her match to advance to the second round.
- Where
- The incident took place at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.
- When
- The incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, during the Australian Open.
- Why
- The ball girl fainted due to the intense heat, and Sonmez assisted her before continuing and winning her match.
Zeynep Sonmez
Ekaterina Alexandrova
Match Performance
Zeynep Sonmez
Sonmez displayed remarkable composure and fought hard from the back of the court, converting 8 of 17 break points and winning 56% on first serve and 52% on second serve.
Ekaterina Alexandrova
Alexandrova fired 10 aces but was hampered by 7 double faults, winning 67% on first serve and only 34% on second serve.
Key facts
- Player
- Zeynep Sonmez
- Event
- Australian Open
- Opponent
- Ekaterina Alexandrova
- Result
- 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
- Significance
- First Turkish woman to reach second round at Australian Open
- Previous Best
- Third round at Wimbledon 2023
- Temperature
- 29 Celsius
- Match Duration
- Over two hours
Timeline
Witnessing Raducanu console a child, Sonmez inspired.
Same scene replayed, Sonmez's resolve set.
Ball girl wilts, Sonmez halts match, aids her.
Turkish ace advances, makes history in second round.
Quotes
Zeynep Sonmez
Turkish tennis player who defeated the 11th seed at the 2026 Australian Open and assisted a fainting ball girl.
“I always say it is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player. It was just my instinct to help her, and I think everyone would do the same. I’m happy I got to help. If I see the ball girl tomorrow or later in the tournament, I’d love to speak to her.”
indianexpress.com
“She was really struggling. She said she was fine, but it was really obvious she was not fine. So I went to grab her and said, 'Sit down and drink something, you’re not fine'. As we were walking, she fainted, so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Australian Open: Zeynep beats 11th seed Ekaterina to reach second round
VIDEO: Ball Kid FAINTS At Australian Open 2026, Zeynep Sönmez Wins Over Internet With Heartfelt Gesture
Zeynep Sonmez wins hearts with heartfelt gesture at Australian Open 2026 before scripting history for Turkey; watch
Australian Open: Turkish tennis player explains rushing to help ball girl after collapse, ‘She was really struggling’
Ball girl collapses at Australian Open 2026; Zeynep Sonmez rushes to help, wins hearts - WATCH




