Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez made headlines for her exceptional sportsmanship and on-court performance at the Australian Open 2026. During her first-round match against Russia's 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on Sunday, January 18, 2026, play was halted after a ball girl collapsed on court due to the punishing Melbourne heat. Without hesitation, Sonmez, then ranked world number 112, rushed to the aid of the ailing ball girl, guiding her to a seat and allowing medical staff to intervene. Alexandrova also helped by retrieving ice packs. Temperatures had reached 28 degrees Celsius, and the incident highlighted the challenging conditions faced by participants. Following a brief suspension, play resumed, and Sonmez, a qualifier, went on to clinch a remarkable victory over Alexandrova with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. This win marked a significant milestone for Turkish tennis, as Sonmez became the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to not only win a match at the Australian Open but also to advance to the second round of the tournament. Her heartfelt gesture of humanity amid a high-stakes match earned her widespread appreciation from fans and media globally. Sonmez had previously made history in 2025 by becoming the first Turkish player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon.