Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez and Russian star Ekaterina Alexandrova rush to aid ailing ball kid, shining spotlight on tournament conditions before Sonmez completes stunning upset.
MELBOURNE – A first-round match at the Australian Open was abruptly suspended Sunday when a ball girl collapsed in the heat, triggering an immediate and compassionate response from both players on court.
The incident occurred during the second set of the match between 11th-seeded Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova and Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez. As Alexandrova prepared to serve, the ball girl, stationed near the umpire’s chair, fell backward onto the court.
Without hesitation, Sonmez sprinted to the girl’s side while Alexandrova dashed to a courtside refrigerator for ice packs. Medical staff swiftly intervened, and play was halted for several minutes as on-court temperatures hit 28°C (82°F).
“Your first instinct is just to help,” Sonmez said after the match. “Everyone’s wellbeing comes before the game.”
Following the stoppage, Sonmez returned to deliver the biggest victory of her career, upsetting the favored Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. The 23-year-old, who last year became the first Turkish player in the Open era to reach Wimbledon’s third round, now advances to face either American Elizabeth Mandlik or Hungary’s Anna Bondar.
The episode has renewed focus on the extreme conditions often faced at the season’s first Grand Slam, where temperatures have historically exceeded 40°C. Forecasts for the coming week predict highs of at least 36°C, putting players, staff, and officials under increased physical strain.
Tournament organizers enforce heat policies that can include closing stadium roofs and allowing extra breaks, but incidents like Sunday’s highlight the challenges of competing—and working—in Melbourne’s summer climate.
