A player helps a soccer girl after she falls at the Australian Open

ballervisions 2026年1月18日

Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez says it’s more important to be “a good person than a good tennis player” after rushing to help a girl who fainted during her Australian Open match.

As Sonmez’s opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova served for the second set, the soccer girl – standing next to the referee’s chair – fell flat on her back before quickly getting up.

Sonmez immediately ran to his aid and took him to the side of the court, where the youngster received medical help in the shade.

The ball girl was able to stand up and was helped by the health workers to leave the field, the game started after a six-minute delay.

“He was really struggling. He said he was doing well but it was obvious he wasn’t well,” Sonmez told BBC Sport.

“I went to hold him and said ‘sit down and drink something, you are not well’.

“While we were walking, he passed out, luckily I caught him. He was really shaking.”

Tennis Australia confirmed the girl received medical attention on site before going home.

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

“It was just my idea to help him and I think everyone would do the same. I’m glad I was able to help.”

Russia’s Alexandrova went on to win the second set before qualifier Sonmez fought back from 3-0 down to settle 7-5 4-6 6-4 for her fourth match point.

“If I see a soccer girl tomorrow or later at the tournament I would like to talk to her,” added Somnez.

Temperatures hit a high of 28C on Sunday at Melbourne Park as the biggest game of the year gets underway, while the mercury is forecast to reach 35C next weekend.

The Australian Open revised its extreme heat policy (EHP) in 2019 after conducting research into the effects of heat stress on tennis players.

This research led to the development of the heat stress scale (HSS), which is used to determine when conditions become too severe, and when the health of players may be at risk.

HSS, up to 5, read 2.8 when the soccer girl passed out. The advice in that study is to increase the flow of water.

‘I won it with heart and strength’ – Jacquemot surprises Kostyuk

Elsa Jacquemot is playing in the Australian Open major tournament for the first time [Getty Images]

Ukraine’s 20th seed Marta Kostyuk also suffered a shock defeat on day one as she fell to world number 58 Elsa Jacquemot in a record match.

Frenchwoman Jacquemot won 6-7(4-7) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (10-7) in what was Melbourne’s first three-set tiebreak in the Open era.

Jacquemot fought back from a set 5-3 down and saved a match point before securing victory after a grueling three hours and 31 minutes.

It was the longest game of the season so far and was just two minutes away from the longest game of 2025.

“I won it with heart and courage,” said Jacquemot afterwards.

Kostyuk’s exit is even more surprising given his strong season, having beaten three top-10 players en route to the final at the Brisbane International last week.