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Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez says it is more important to be a “good human being than a good tennis player” after helping carry a fainting ball girl off court during her Australian Open match.<\/b><\/p>\n
As Sonmez’s opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova served for the second set, the ball girl – stood beside the umpire’s chair – fell flat on her back before quickly getting back up.<\/p>\n
Sonmez sprinted over and helped walk her over to the side of the court, where the youngster received medical attention in the shade.<\/p>\n
The ball girl managed to get back to her feet and was helped off court by medical staff, with play resuming after a six-minute delay.<\/p>\n
“She was really struggling. She said she was fine but it was really obvious she was not fine,” Sonmez told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“So I went to grab her and said ‘sit down and drink something, you’re not fine’. <\/p>\n
“As we were walking she fainted so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking.”<\/p>\n
Tennis Australia confirmed that the girl had received medical attention on site before going home.<\/p>\n
“I always say it is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player,” added world number 112 Sonmez.<\/p>\n
“It was just my instinct to help her and I think everyone would do the same. I’m happy I got to help.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n