Zeynep Sönmez's Support for Palestine and Tennis Success Featured in Arab Media

Rising star of Turkish tennis, Zeynep Sönmez, has made international headlines not only for her performance on the court but also for her symbolic support for Palestine at Wimbledon. Qatari-based Al Jazeera has prepared a comprehensive file on the 24-year-old national tennis player, examining both her sports career and her symbolic solidarity at Wimbledon. After Wimbledon organizers did not allow her to wear a pro-Palestine badge on her outfit, Sönmez attached a watermelon-shaped vibration damper to her racket. The watermelon symbol, which bears the colors of the Palestinian flag, has long been used as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. According to Al Jazeera, Sönmez discussed the issue with tournament officials and criticized the ban on pro-Palestine symbols. After the organizers did not allow her to wear the badge, she made the watermelon symbol a permanent part of her racket, saying the organization could not prevent this choice. Al Jazeera emphasized that Sönmez has excelled not only in her political stance but also in breaking records in Turkish tennis. Born on April 30, 2002, in Istanbul, the national athlete's tennis journey began when she was a ball girl at WTA tournaments in Istanbul at a young age. Achieving a significant breakthrough in her career, Sönmez won her first WTA 250 championship in Merida, Mexico, in 2024. Following her successful performance, she rose to 51st place in the world rankings, breaking the record for the highest WTA ranking in Turkish women's tennis. The report also noted that Zeynep Sönmez became the first Turkish tennis player to reach the third round in a Grand Slam in the Open Era by advancing to the third round at Wimbledon in 2025. Additionally, she reached the third round at the 2026 Australian Open and achieved her first Top 10 win by defeating world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in Stuttgart.