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Zeynep Sonmez made history at Wimbledon 2025 by becoming the first Turkish woman ever to reach the third round of the world’s most iconic tennis tournament.
Her achievement not only rewrote national records but also lit a new spark of hope for the future of tennis in Türkiye.
According to the Hurriyet, Sonmez shared her thoughts after the match with grace and introspection.
“This tournament meant a lot to me,” she said. “Facing Aleksandrova in the third round was a learning experience. She handled the crucial points better with her experience. I saw areas I need to work on, but I also realized I’m not far from competing at that level.”
Rather than focusing on the defeat, Sonmez emphasized growth and resilience. “I gave everything I had and didn’t give up,” she noted. “That’s what matters to me. My goal isn’t to chase grand titles all at once—it’s to be better than the version of myself from yesterday.”
Sonmez’s progress has stirred excitement in Türkiye’s sporting circles, with many seeing it as a potential turning point. Turkish Ambassador to the U.K. Koray Ertas, who attended the match alongside his wife, praised the young athlete’s performance.
“Athletes like Zeynep represent our country abroad just as much as diplomats do,” he stated, adding, “They deserve all the support we can provide.”
Ertas added that Sonmez’s success could inspire a wider movement for tennis in Türkiye. “We’ve finally made a real breakthrough at Wimbledon,” he said.
“With continued effort and investment, I believe Turkish tennis will gain even stronger visibility on the world stage.”
He also acknowledged the strong presence of Turkish fans in the stands, saying their support gave Sonmez a vital boost.
10 min read
