Turkish Tennis Player Zeynep Sonmez Praised for Sportsmanship After Aiding Fainting Ball Girl at Australian Open

Incident Unfolds on Court

During her first-round match at the Australian Open on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship when she rushed to the aid of a ball girl who fainted on court. The incident occurred at the 1573 Arena in Melbourne Park, where temperatures were approximately 29 Celsius (84 Fahrenheit) on the exposed court.

The ball girl, positioned near the umpire's chair, reportedly wobbled and then fell. After attempting to regain her footing, she stumbled again. Sonmez, aged 23 and ranked 112th in the world, immediately halted play, walked over to the ball girl, and helped guide her to a seat in the shade. She then assisted in lifting the ball girl into a chair before tournament medical staff and umpire Chase Urban took over. The match was delayed for approximately seven minutes while the ball girl received attention and was subsequently removed from the court. Organizers later confirmed that the ball girl had returned home after treatment.

Sonmez's Act of Kindness and Match Victory

Sonmez was competing against Russia's 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova when the event transpired. Despite the emotional interruption and losing the second set, Sonmez maintained her composure and went on to win the match with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. This victory marked a significant milestone for Sonmez, as she became the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

Widespread Praise for Sportsmanship

Sonmez's selfless actions garnered widespread appreciation from both the crowd and the broader tennis community. Her intervention was met with applause from spectators who witnessed her competitive spirit coupled with profound sportsmanship. Reflecting on the incident, Sonmez stated, 'I always say it's more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player. It was just my instinct to help her and everyone would do the same. I'm happy I got to help.' This sentiment resonated widely, highlighting the values of compassion and humanity within professional sports.