Turkish qualifier Sonmez and Russian seed Alexandrova halt match to give aid, highlighting extreme conditions at Melbourne Park.
In a dramatic moment at the Australian Open, a ball girl collapsed courtside due to soaring temperatures, prompting an immediate humanitarian response from the players on court.
The incident occurred Sunday during the first-round match between Russia’s 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez. As Alexandrova prepared to serve in the second set, the ball girl, positioned near the umpire’s chair, fell backward onto the court.
Play was instantly stopped. Sonmez sprinted to the girl’s side while Alexandrova rushed to a courtside fridge to retrieve ice packs. Tournament medical staff quickly attended to the girl, and the match was suspended for several minutes as on-site temperatures reached 28°C (82°F).
When play resumed, Sonmez channeled the intensity of the afternoon into a stunning upset, defeating Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to secure the biggest win of her career. The 23-year-old Turkish star, who made history last year as her country’s first Open-era player to reach Wimbledon’s third round, advances to face either America’s Elizabeth Mandlik or Hungary’s Anna Bondar.
The event has again turned a spotlight on the challenging conditions players and staff face at the year’s first Grand Slam, where temperatures frequently exceed 40°C. Forecasts this week predict highs of at least 36°C, renewing discussions about player and official welfare in extreme heat.
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