Zeynep Sonmez says Wimbledon barred her Palestine pin; she used watermelon symbol instead

Wimbledon 2026: Zeynep Sonmez sports watermelon shock absorber for Palestine

Wimbledon 2026: Zeynep Sonmez sports watermelon shock absorber for Palestine Submitted by Judy Qeis on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 12:37 Turkish No 1 says tournament organisers barred her from wearing Palestinian pin despite Ukrainian flag being allowed Zeynep Sonmez with a watermelon vibration dampener on her racket at Wimbledon this week (Patrick Hamilton/Sipa USA via Reuters) Off Tennis player Zeynep Sonmez has said she was told by Wimbledon organisers that wearing a Palestine pin was prohibited, leading her to display solidarity with Palestinians through her racket. The Turkish No 1 told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that she "used to wear a pin", but that "tournaments no longer allow me to wear it".  She added that her team had a "discussion with the organisers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not". "They ultimately told us they definitely would not allow it," she said. The 24-year-old ended up fastening a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener to her racket: "[T]hey can't object to that." The watermelon has been used as a symbol for Palestinian resistance since the 1967 war, when Israeli authorities banned public displays of Palestinian flags in occupied Palestinian lands. In response, Palestinians started bringing slices of watermelon - which shares the colours of the national flag - to protests and painted and displayed signs of the fruit. It has been used as a symbol of solidarity since.  'Double standards' Hundreds of social media users showered praise on Sonmez for her stance while criticising Wimbledon organisers for "double standards" on Ukraine and Palestine. Regarding the decision about Sonmez, tournament director Jamie Baker said: "We don't allow any kind of political messaging from players on court ... That has been consistent across the rules for a long time." However, earlier in the week, Ukrainian player Daria Snigur was seen competing while wearing a pin with the Ukrainian flag.  This is so demoralizing. Props to zeynep for fighting for what she believes in https://t.co/ROovX9CNti— noor (@sinncedes) July 2, 2026 When asked why Sonmez was not allowed to display a Palestine pin while Snigur could wear a Ukraine symbol, Baker insisted that the "Ukrainian situation" was "quite unique". "[W]e were following our government guidance, and the international response ... so that was an individual situation," he continued.  One user posted on X: "Ukraine flag allowed but not Palestine flag. Bitterly disappointed that even Wimbledon stooped to this level of hypocrisy." Others focused on Sonmez's message. "It's a small act but the ingenuity and undeterred commitment to somehow doing the display of solidarity is so beautiful," said one user.  Another wrote: "Huge respect to Zeynep Sonmez for not being silenced on the genocide Israel is committing." Middle East Eye has contacted the All England Lawn Tennis Club and Sonmez for comment. Sport Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

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Tennis star says Wimbledon banned her from wearing pin in support of Palestine

Zeynep Sonmez used a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener on her racket (Picture: Getty) Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez claimed Wimbledon banned her from wearing a pin in support of Palestine while competing at the All England Club. World No.51 Sonmez beat Ann Li in her first-round singles clash before suffering a straight-set defeat to America’s Claire Liu on Wednesday. Sonmez returned on Thursday to compete in the women’s doubles alongside Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro but the pair were defeated in three sets by Shuko Aoyama and En Shuo Liang. In all three matches, Sonmez’s racket had a vibration dampener in the shape of a watermelon, a well-known emblem of Palestinian solidarity. The 24-year-old has often worn a similar pin on her dress when playing, but said she was banned from doing so at Wimbledon. ‘I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it,’ she told Turkish news agency Anadolu. ‘We had a discussion with the organizers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not. Zeynep Sonmez is ranked 51st in the world (Picture: Getty) ‘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.’ Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak showed support for Sonmez’s efforts, writing on X: ‘We are proud of our athlete Zeynep Sönmez, who holds her conscience, courage, and human values above all else. ‘By refusing to remain silent in the face of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, she has once again demonstrated with her honorable stance that sport is not merely about competition; it is also a carrier of universal values. Sonmez has previously worn a pin in support of Palestine (Picture: Getty) Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held outside Wimbledon on Monday (Picture: Getty) ‘For this meaningful sensitivity, we wholeheartedly congratulate our athlete and respectfully salute every conscientious voice that stands with the oppressed.’ Speaking back in 2024 about wearing a Palestine pin while competing, Sonmez told the WTA’s official website: ‘It’s a sensitive area for me. People in Palestine are suffering. I see the videos and photos and feel that there’s not so much we can do. ‘But we can always do our best — it’s like I was saying, you can be the best version of yourself. I want everyone to know that I’m standing with them. ‘There are bad things going on all around the world, but I feel like they’re not having the attention that they need. There is something very scary going on, and I want people to be aware of it. If I can take even a little bit of attention to them, that’s good.’ Wimbledon has a strict all-white dress code for players, stating on their website: ‘Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround.’ But the organisers have, on occasion, shown a willingness to bend the rules, allowing Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina to wear a black ribbon back in 2024 to show solidarity with the victims of a Russian bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv. Metro has approached the AELTC for comment. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

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