Australian Open 2026: Player Rushes to Help Ball Girl After On-Court Collapse
Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez said that “being a good human being is more important than being a good tennis player” after she helped a ball girl who collapsed during a first-round match at the Australian Open.
The incident happened when Sonmez’s opponent, Ekaterina Alexandrova, was serving in the second set. The ball girl, who was standing near the umpire’s chair, suddenly fell flat on her back. Although she got up quickly, it was clear something was wrong.
Sonmez immediately ran to her side and helped her off the court, where the girl received medical assistance in the shade. The ball girl was able to stand, and medical staff later escorted her off the court. Play resumed after a six-minute delay.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sonmez said, “She was really distressed. She said she was fine, but it was obvious that she wasn’t.
“So I went to hold her and told her, ‘Sit down and drink something — you’re not okay.’
“While we were walking, she fainted, and luckily I caught her. She was shaking badly.”
Tennis Australia confirmed that the girl received medical treatment on site before being sent home.
World No. 112 Sonmez added, “I always say that being a good human being is more important than being a good tennis player.
“Helping her was just instinctive, and I think anyone would have done the same. I’m just glad I could help.”
Russia’s Alexandrova won the second set, but qualifier Sonmez mounted a strong comeback after trailing 3-0 in the deciding set. She eventually sealed a dramatic victory 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 on her fourth match point.
Sonmez also said, “If I meet the ball girl tomorrow or later in the tournament, I would really like to speak with her.”
Temperatures reached 28°C at Melbourne Park on Sunday as the year’s first Grand Slam got underway, with forecasts suggesting the mercury could climb to 35°C by next weekend.
The Australian Open updated its Extreme Heat Policy (EHP) in 2019 after researching the effects of heat stress on tennis players. That research led to the development of the Heat Stress Scale (HSS), which helps determine when conditions become too challenging and potentially dangerous for players’ health.
The HSS, which goes up to a maximum of five, recorded a reading of 2.8 at the time the ball girl collapsed. At that level, increased hydration is advised.
‘I won it with heart and courage’ — Jacquemot stuns Kostyuk
Ukraine’s 20th seed Marta Kostyuk also suffered a surprise first-round exit, losing to world No. 58 Elsa Jacquemot in a record-setting match.
The French player won 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (10-7) in the first triple tie-break match ever played at Melbourne in the Open era.
Jacquemot fought back after being a set and 5-3 down and saved a match point before clinching victory after a grueling three hours and 31 minutes.
It was the longest match of the season so far and just two minutes shorter than the longest match of 2025.
After the match, Jacquemot said, “I won it with heart and courage.”
Kostyuk’s early exit was especially surprising given her strong start to the season, which included wins over three top-10 players on her way to reaching the Brisbane International final last week.
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