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Zeynep Sönmez Rushes to Aid Ballkid During Australian Open Upset Win

  • On Sunday at 1573 Arena, Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sönmez upset No. Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the second round.
  • Heat appeared to be a factor, with temperatures near 29 Celsius as the ballkid wobbled and stumbled backward near the umpire in the ninth game of the second set on the exposed hardcourt.
  • Sönmez put the ballkid's arm over her shoulder and guided her to a seat near the side of the arena, where tournament medical staff assessed and treated her, with the ballkid later recovering but not returning.
  • Officials said `We'll stop and wait for it to get sorted.`, and players waited about seven minutes while staff and Gerry Armstrong rushed to help before play resumed.
  • Broadcasters flagged multiple ballkid incidents and operational strain, and commentators highlighted that several players forced to retire with cramping at this year's Australian Open.
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FirstSportz broke the news in on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
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