When compassion stopped play and defined Zeynep Sonmez’s Australian Open breakthrough

According to Tennis.com, Sonmez’s victory on Sunday combined a historic sporting achievement with an act of sportsmanship that drew applause inside the stadium and attention well beyond Melbourne Park.

A Match Interrupted By Concern

The 23 year old qualifier was competing against No. 11 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova when play was halted late in the second set. During the ninth game, a ball girl positioned near the umpire’s chair appeared unsteady and stumbled.

As play was about to continue, Sonmez raised her hand to stop the point and walked toward the youngster. She guided the ball girl away from the court surface and toward a shaded area as officials and tournament medical staff moved in.

According to Tennis.com, the ball girl was seated courtside and treated, resulting in a delay of several minutes before the match resumed.

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Applause From The Stands And Online

Spectators responded immediately, applauding as the scene unfolded. Sonmez had already been drawing visible support throughout the match, with Turkish flags waved in the crowd.

The moment quickly circulated online, where fans and commentators praised the player’s reaction. According to Tennis.com, the attention shifted from the scoreboard to Sonmez’s composure and awareness under pressure.

Sonmez Explains Her Reaction

After the match, Sonmez spoke about what she witnessed. Speaking to BBC Sport, she said, “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.’”

She added that the situation escalated as they moved away from the court. “As we were walking she fainted so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking.”

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Reflecting on the moment, Sonmez told BBC Sport, “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.”

A Comeback That Carried Historic Weight

Once play resumed, Sonmez quickly refocused. She recovered from a 3 0 deficit in the deciding set to secure a 7 5, 4 6, 6 4 victory.

According to Tennis.com, the win made Sonmez the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to record a main draw victory at the Australian Open. Alexandrova’s defeat also represented the highest seeded loss on the tournament’s opening day.

The Moment That Redefined The Match

Although the result placed Sonmez into the second round, the defining memory of the match remained the pause in play. What began as a notable upset became a reminder of how human instinct can briefly overshadow competition.

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According to reporting from Tennis.com and BBC Sport, Sonmez left the court not only with a breakthrough win, but with recognition earned through empathy and presence of mind in a critical moment.

Sources: Tennis.com, BBC Sport

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