Zeynep Sonmez Opens Up About Harsh Realities of Life on Tour: “I Was Home for 50 Days Last Year”

Zeynep Sonmez broke into the top 50 earlier this month for the first time in her career. Ranked 48th in the world, Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to become a top 50 player.

But being a top 50 player is not easy, said Sonmez during her interview with Turkish magazine Bee Haber. Many tennis players have to sacrifice time away from their families due to a packed calendar, as they’re on the move for 11 months.

To be in the top 50, you have to be mentally very strong because we travel almost every week. You have to be ready to be away from your family and loved ones. This has been one of the most difficult parts of my job. Being away from Istanbul and my family has always been very difficult for me. Every time I lost a match, I would think: ‘What if we went home?’ Even between tournaments, I wanted to go home. Last year, I was home for 50 days.

After winning the 2024 Merida Open, Sonmez entered the top 100. Then last year, she became the first Turkish player in the Open Era to reach the third round of Wimbledon. Sonmez also reached the third round of this year’s Australian Open. Since that win in Merida, she has not yet played another tour-level final.

She was last seen in action at Wimbledon, where Claire Liu defeated her in the second round. The 24-year-old is set to compete at the Memphis Open as the fourth seed. She will face Cadence Brace in the opening round.

Zeynep Sonmez on growing up in a country where tennis is not popular

Zeynep Sonmez has been discovering more about tennis through experiences because she grew up in a country without a tennis culture. Some countries have previous generations of players, experienced coaches, plus well-established tennis structures that train youngsters to be professionals. Turkey’s tennis is still developing.

I do not come from a country where tennis is very popular. I did not grow up in an environment steeped in tennis culture. That’s why I had to learn a lot of things on the fly. Some of my friends learned a lot growing up. When they reach this level, they already possess certain knowledge. I, on the other hand, learned almost everything through experience.

Zeynep Sonmez said during the interview with Bee Haber

This season, Sonmez has reached three quarterfinals. In Merida, Cristina Bucsa beat her, while in Libema, her run was ended by Magda Linette. She also made the last eight of the Eastbourne International, where Jelena Ostapenko ended her campaign.

That’s why, in some respects, there may be areas where I lack guidance. I experience many situations for the first time. They can benefit from the experience passed down by players from their own country. The tennis culture also teaches them many things earlier.

Zeynep Sonmez added

In Memphis, Ekaterina Alexandrova is competing as the first seed. Sonmez could meet Alexandrova if they both reach the semifinals.

If Sonmez beats Cadence Brace, she will lock horns with Elvina Kalieva or a qualifier in the second round. Sonmez has not yet played the Canadian Open or the Cincinnati Masters. But she featured in the first six WTA 1000s of the season, producing her best performance when she reached the third round of the Madrid Open.

After the warm-up tournaments on the North American hard-court swing, players will shift their focus to the last Grand Slam tournament of the season, the US Open. Sonmez made her debut in the New York Major last year and reached the second round. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will enter the tournament as the defending champion. She defeated home favorite Amanda Anisimova last year.

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