Watch: Zeynep Sonmez aids ill ball girl during milestone Australian Open victory
Published: Jan 18, 2026
Jaceline
Writer
"It was just my instinct to help her," said the Turkish qualifier, who upset No. 11 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in three sets.
© AFP or licensors
Zeypnep Sonmez didn't just impress with her tennis during an upset victory on Day 1 of the 2026 Australian Open. She also impressed with her big heart.
The 23-year-old Turkish qualifier was receiving serve in the ninth game of the second set against No. 11 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova when a ball kid stationed near the umpire's chair suddenly lost balance and stumbled backwards in the midday Sunday sun on 1573 Arena. Determined to return to her post, the ball kid stood up quickly but started wobbling again. Sonmez quickly sprung into action, held up her hand to suspend play, and moved to aid the youngster.
Tournament officials, from the chair umpire to the tournament medical staff, rushed to the girl's aid as Sonmez supported her into a more shady spot, and lifted her into a chair courtside. The match was ultimately delayed seven minutes as the ball kid was treated and removed from the court.
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The qualifier's quick thinking and sportsmanship were applauded by a hearty crowd, many of whom waved Turkish flags in support of Sonmez throughout the match, plus many fans and pundits online, including Tennis Channel's own Jon Wertheim.
Zeynep Sonmez...(Turkish qualifier, who not only performs spontaneous acts of kindness, but also beat the No.11 seed, biggest upset of the day, so far).... https://t.co/faRbfKOXng
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) January 18, 2026
"She was really struggling," Sonmez later told BBC Sport. "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.'
"As we were walking she fainted so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking.
"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."
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Sonmez ultimately came from 3-0 down in the final set to defeat Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, making two other headlines in the process. She is the first Turkish woman to win an Australian Open main-draw match in the Open Era, and Alexandrova was the highest seed to fall on the opening day of the year's first Grand Slam event.
