Philenews

Turkish Tennis Player Pauses Match to Help Ball Girl at Australian Open

Published January 19, 2026, 07:21
Turkish Tennis Player Pauses Match to Help Ball Girl at Australian Open

A display of sportsmanship stood out during a match at the Australian Open, when Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez paused her match to offer assistance to a ball girl who felt unwell due to the intense heat. Sonmez noticed the girl was dizzy and informed the umpire and her opponent, showing immediate care and prioritizing the child's health. Her act was met with applause from the crowd and serves as an example of fair play in sports. Later, Sonmez achieved a significant victory, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova, for the first time in a match at the Australian Open.