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Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez said she competed at Wimbledon with a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener on her racket after tournament organizers did not allow her to wear a pin supporting Palestine.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency after her second-round exit, Sonmez said she had previously worn the pin at tournaments but was no longer permitted to do so. She said the issue was discussed with Wimbledon officials, but the organizers did not change their position.
"We had a discussion with the organizers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not," Sonmez said.
Sonmez said she turned to a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener, a small accessory placed on racket strings to reduce vibration, because officials did not object to it.
"They ultimately told us they definitely would not allow it. So, I can't wear the pin. I can use the vibration dampener, and they can't object to that. That's why I put the watermelon symbol on my racket," she said.
The watermelon is widely associated with Palestine because it is grown there and carries the same colors as the Palestinian flag: red, green, white and black. It is regarded as a symbol of resistance against Israeli oppression and occupation.
Sonmez was knocked out of the women's singles draw after losing to American player Claire Liu in the second round. She said she had not been able to play the match according to her preferred game plan and felt she had made simple mistakes in key moments.
The Turkish player said Liu had performed better, while she needed to stay more consistent and follow her strategy more closely.
Looking ahead to upcoming tournaments, Sonmez said her team did not plan to make major changes to her training program. Instead, she said they would focus on improving weaker areas while continuing to build up her strengths.
Sonmez also explained the handwritten notes she reads during breaks in matches, saying she prepares reminders about her opponents' strengths and weaknesses before going on court.
She said the notes help her stay calm when pressure builds up during a match.
"Because I can feel stressed or nervous during a match, I write down the things I need to pay attention to before the match so I can read them at those moments," Sonmez said.
The Turkish player also thanked supporters from Türkiye, saying she had not felt alone at Wimbledon and had felt as though they were all on court together.
Her Wimbledon singles campaign ended in the second round, but she remains in the doubles competition.
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