Australian Open: Zeynep Sonmez’s touching gesture as she helps ball girl who fainted

Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez advanced to the second round of the Australian Open after a dramatic first-round victory that was briefly overshadowed by a touching moment of sportsmanship.

As she rushed to assist a ball girl who collapsed courtside amid extreme heat in Melbourne. World No. 112 Sonmez halted play in the second set when the ball girl fainted beside the chair umpire. As the youngster struggled to stand, Sonmez immediately ran over, placed the girl’s arm around her shoulder and guided her to a chair, ensuring she received medical attention. The gesture drew warm applause from spectators and widespread praise across the tennis community.

Despite the interruption — and dropping the second set — Sonmez held her nerve to defeat Russia’s 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. The win marked a historic milestone, making Sonmez the first woman from Türkiye to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

“I always say it’s more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player,” Sonmez told the BBC. “It was just my instinct to help her. I’m happy I got to help.” Tournament organisers later confirmed that the ball girl was treated and allowed to return home.

Reflecting further on the incident, Sonmez said the signs were clear.
“She said she was fine, but it was really obvious she was not. I told her to sit down and drink something. As we were walking, she fainted, so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking.”

Sonmez added that she hopes to check on the ball girl later in the tournament.
“If I see her tomorrow or later, I’d love to speak to her.” The victory capped an emotional evening for the Turkish player, who waved to supporters as she left the court draped in the Turkish flag, with fans celebrating in the stands at Melbourne Park’s 1573 Arena.

Sonmez’s latest success continues her upward trajectory following a strong 2025 season, during which she reached the third round at Wimbledon — the best Grand Slam performance by a Turkish woman in the professional era — and the second round of the US Open. Her Australian Open run now adds another landmark chapter to Türkiye’s tennis history.