Zeynep Sonmez Becomes First Turkish Player to Reach Wimbledon Third Round in Open Era

Zeynep Sonmez made history at Wimbledon 2025 by becoming the first Turkish player in the Open Era to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament, defeating world No. 32 Wang Xinyu in straight sets. This achievement marks the first time in 75 years that a Turkish woman has advanced this far, a milestone last reached by Bahtiye Musluoglu in 1950. Sonmez, ranked No. 88 and born in Istanbul, showcased resilience and tactical skill during her 7-5, 7-5 victory, inspiring a wave of national pride and celebration across Turkey. Her breakthrough follows previous Turkish players who had only reached the second round in Grand Slams, making this a significant breakthrough for Turkish tennis. Sonmez's rise from ballgirl to Türkiye's No. 1 player and her recent career-high ranking highlight her rapid ascent in the sport. The Tennis community and Turkish officials have warmly congratulated her, viewing her success as a historic resurgence in Turkish tennis on the international stage.