Australian Open 2026: Zeynep Sonmez helps ball girl who fell during victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova

Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez said being a “good person is more important than being a good tennis player” after rushing to help a ball boy who collapsed at the Australian Open.

When Somez’s opponent, Ekaterina Alexandrova, served in the second set, the ball girl standing next to the referee’s chair fell on her back and quickly stood up again.

Sonmez rushed over and helped her to the side of the pitch, where the youngster received medical attention in the shade.

The ball girl managed to stand up with the help of medical staff and left the court, and the game restarted after a six-minute delay.

“She was really struggling. She said she was fine but it was clear she wasn’t,” Sonmez told BBC Sport.

“So I went and grabbed her and said ‘sit down and have a drink, you’re not feeling well’.

“She fainted as we were walking and luckily I caught her. She was really shaking.”

Tennis Australia confirmed the girl received medical attention at the scene before returning home.

“I always say it’s more important to be a good person than to be a good tennis player,” added Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world.

“It was just my instinct to help her, and I think everyone does that. I’m glad I was able to help.”