Zeynep Sonmez displays watermelon symbol at Wimbledon for Palestine

Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez said she competed at Wimbledon with a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener on her racket after tournament officials prohibited her from wearing a pin expressing support for Palestine. Speaking following her women's singles campaign in London, Sonmez explained that the alternative symbol was accepted even though the pin was not.

Restrictions on the Palestine symbol

Sonmez said she had previously worn a Palestine-supporting pin during tournaments but was informed that it would not be permitted at Wimbledon. "I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it. We had a discussion with the organizers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not," she said.

According to the Turkish player, organizers maintained their position despite discussions. "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 added.

The watermelon has become a widely recognized symbol associated with Palestine because it carries the same colors as the Palestinian flag—red, green, white and black—and has frequently been used in cultural and public expressions of solidarity.

Second-round defeat at Wimbledon

Sonmez's singles run ended in the second round after a 7-5, 6-3 defeat to American Claire Liu. Reflecting on the match, the Turkish athlete acknowledged that she was unable to perform at the level she had expected.

"I didn't play very well. I couldn't play according to the game plan I wanted. It wasn't a day when I played good tennis or felt the ball well," she said, adding that Liu was the stronger player on the day and that unforced mistakes prevented her from remaining consistent during key moments.

Focus turns to upcoming tournaments

Looking ahead, Sonmez said her coaching team does not plan significant changes to its training program. Instead, the focus will remain on improving weaker aspects of her game while continuing to build on existing strengths ahead of future competitions.

The Turkish player also explained the handwritten notes she reads during breaks in matches. She said the notes include observations about her opponents as well as mental reminders designed to help her stay composed under pressure. "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," she said.

Sonmez thanked supporters from Türkiye for their encouragement throughout the tournament, saying their presence made her feel she was "never alone" on court. Although her singles campaign has ended, she remains in the Wimbledon doubles competition.