Historic Victory Overshadowed by On-Court Drama
Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez secured a landmark victory at the Australian Open on Sunday, 18 January 2026, but her triumph was preceded by a moment of quick-thinking compassion. During her first-round match, Sonmez rushed to the aid of a ball girl who collapsed on court, an incident that temporarily halted play on a hot Melbourne day.
A Swift Intervention in the Heat
The drama unfolded on the 1573 Arena as temperatures reached 28 degrees Celsius. Midway through the contest, with Sonmez poised to receive serve, the ball girl standing near the umpire's chair suddenly fell backwards. After getting up, she appeared unsteady. Umpire immediately stopped play, and Zeynep Sonmez was the first to react, swiftly moving to the girl's side.
Sonmez guided the distressed youngster off the court, placing an arm over her shoulder for support. Her timely intervention proved crucial, as the ball girl fainted again shortly after being led to a shaded seat, where tournament medics provided water and assistance. The incident was attributed to heat exhaustion on a sunny opening day for the Grand Slam.
Sonmez Seals Historic Win Amid Raucous Support
Following a brief delay, the match resumed. Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, refocused to defeat the 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in a gruelling three-set battle, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. The victory, sealed after two hours and 27 minutes, marks a significant milestone: Zeynep Sonmez is the first Turkish woman to reach the second round of the Australian Open women's singles.
The 23-year-old's stunning win continues her impressive form after coming through the qualifying rounds. It also builds on her previous groundbreaking achievement at Wimbledon in 2025, where she became the first Turkish player to reach the third round of any Grand Slam. Her Melbourne victory was celebrated passionately by fans waving Turkish flags, creating a raucous atmosphere in support of their history-making star.
Sonmez's actions on Sunday demonstrated not only her competitive prowess but also her sportsmanship, ensuring the day was remembered for both her historic win and her humanity.
