Play came to an abrupt stop during a first-round match at the Australian Open on Sunday after a ball girl collapsed on court amidst rising temperatures. The swift humanitarian response from the players involved, Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez and Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, became the highlight of the incident.
Immediate Response on Court
The incident occurred while 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova was serving in the second set. The ball girl, positioned at the base of the umpire's chair, fell backwards. Demonstrating quick instincts, emerging Turkish star Zeynep Sonmez sprinted across the court to attend to the fallen girl. Simultaneously, Alexandrova rushed to fetch ice bags from a courtside refrigerator to help cool her down.
The young girl received prompt medical attention, leading to a suspension of play for several minutes. The temperature in Melbourne at the time was recorded at 28 degrees Celsius, though forecasts predict it soaring past 36C later in the week.
Sonmez: "More Important to Be a Good Human"
Reflecting on her actions, Zeynep Sonmez shared her perspective with BBC Sport. "I always say it is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player," she stated. "It was just my instinct to help her and I think everyone would do the same. I'm happy I got to help."
Following the resumption of play, the drama continued in a sporting sense. Qualifier Sonmez, channeling her focus back to the match, pulled off a major upset. She defeated the higher-ranked Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, securing the most significant victory of her professional career to date.
A Star on the Rise
The 23-year-old Turkish player is no stranger to making headlines. At Wimbledon last year, she created history by becoming the first player from Turkey to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open era. Her Australian Open journey continues as she prepares to face either American wildcard Elizabeth Mandlik or Hungary's Anna Bondar in the next round.
This incident has once again brought attention to the challenging conditions players and officials face at the Australian Open, where temperatures are notorious for exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The quick thinking and compassion shown by both athletes served as a powerful reminder of sportsmanship transcending competition.
