Turkish Tennis Star Zeynep Sonmez Rushes to Help Fainting Ball Girl at Australian Open
Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez made headlines at the 2026 Australian Open for more than just her impressive victory. She also demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship by rushing to help a ball girl who fainted during her match.
Quick Action During Match
During the second set of her match against Russian opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova, Sonmez noticed a ball girl collapse near the umpire's chair. The ball girl fell flat on her back but quickly tried to stand up again. Sonmez immediately requested Alexandrova to stop serving and hurried to assist the young girl.
The 23-year-old Turkish player helped the ball girl off the court, showing concern for her wellbeing despite being in the middle of an important match.
Sonmez Describes the Incident
After her match, Sonmez spoke about what happened. She explained that the ball girl appeared visibly shaken despite claiming to be okay.
"She was really struggling," Sonmez told the BBC. "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."
Instincts Over Competition
Sonmez emphasized that her immediate response came from basic human instinct rather than any special training or thought process.
"I always say it is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player," she stated. "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."
Victory Amidst Drama
The incident occurred during what turned out to be a significant upset victory for Sonmez. The world number 112 defeated 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in three sets with scores of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. This victory secured her place in the second round of the tournament.
Heat Conditions at Play
The Australian Open has implemented specific policies to address extreme heat conditions. Tournament authorities developed a Heat Stress Scale following research into heat effects on athletes. This scale helps determine when conditions become too demanding for players' health.
During Sunday's match when the ball girl collapsed, the Heat Stress Scale reading reached 2.8. At this level, officials recommend increased hydration for everyone on court.
Wider Recognition
Sports broadcaster TNT Sports shared video of the incident on social media, captioning it "Respect to Zeynep Sonmez who went to help this ball kid who fainted beside the court." The post quickly gained attention from tennis fans worldwide.
Sonmez's actions remind everyone that sportsmanship and human compassion sometimes matter more than competition results. Her quick thinking potentially prevented more serious consequences for the young ball girl.
