Zeynep Sonmez says she "does not agree" with Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva's post-match actions toward Turkish fans, but refused to go too deep into the incident.
At this year's Australian Open, Sonmez wrote Turkish tennis history after winning three qualifying matches and also beating Ekaterina Alexandrova and Anna Bondar to become the first player from her country to reach the third round at Melbourne Park.
The Turkish diaspora in Australia recognized Sonmez's outstanding Happy Slam run and flocked to the stands to support the 23-year-old during her third-round clash versus Putintseva. And while their support was as strong as possible – they were warned by the chair umpire several times – and it was also clear that the Kazakh thought they were crossing the line.
In the end, after just more than two and a half hours of action, Putintseva overcame Sonmez in three sets 6-3 6-7 (3) 6-3. Moments after sealing the win, the former world No. 20 put her hand to her right ear as if she couldn't hear the Turkish fans. Then, she also mocked the crowd by dancing.
Yulia Putintseva’s reaction to the crowd after beating Zeynep Sonmez at the Australian Open.
The crowd immediately booed her after she put her hand to her ear.
Yulia starts dancing on the court.
It’s all happening. pic.twitter.com/KqmmP4KYVL
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 23, 2026
Sonmez: Special to do something for the first time… I don't agree with Putintseva's action
"Achieving firsts for Turkey is very special. My goal is to reach even higher in my career. I don’t agree with my opponent’s action, but it wouldn’t be right for me to comment on their behalf," the 23-year-old told Turkish media.
Zeynep Sönmez: Türkiye adına ilkleri başarmak çok özel. Hedefim kariyerimde daha da yukarı çıkmak. Rakibimin yaptığı hareketi doğru bulmuyorum ama onun adına bir yorum yapmam doğru olmaz.. pic.twitter.com/tJCNSxZrRI
— Dodikan #Tennis (@Dogukandilber) January 25, 2026
Meanwhile, here is what Putintseva had to say about Sonmez's supports in her post-match press conference.
"There is always someone in favor and someone to cheer for. That's what's great about the sport. But today I think [there were] really a lot of disrespectful moments when they were screaming between my first and second serve … just to make me [make a] mistake," the world No. 94 claimed.
Despite the loss, Sonmez will still improve for more than 30 spots on the updated WTA ranking list and be ranked inside the top-80 on Monday.
