Movie buff Zeynep Sönmez is flying the flag for Türkiye

At just 23 years old Zeynep Sönmez stands at the forefront of a new era in Turkish tennis. The world No. 113, who broke into the Top 70 for the first time in October, has already carved her name into the nation’s sporting history, and her trajectory continues to point sharply upward. From winning Türkiye's first WTA singles title in nearly a decade to reaching the third round at Wimbledon, Sönmez has become a symbol of resilience, ambition and quiet confidence.

This week in Ismaning, during Türkiye's 2–1 victory over Germany in their first-ever Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs appearance, she showed exactly why.

A Leader on the Biggest Stage

Türkiye's historic win hinged on Sönmez, who delivered not once but twice on Friday. She outlasted German No. 1 Eva Lys in a physically and emotionally demanding three-set singles battle, then returned to the court alongside Ayla Aksu to clinch the decisive doubles point.

“It was a very tough match against Eva in singles,” Sönmez said after the tie. “I love playing against her. I love her personality. We are good friends and it’s good to share the court with her. In doubles, with Ayla, it was good energy on court. We are very happy.”

Her performance continues a strong record in the competition: Sönmez is now 8–4 across singles since her Billie Jean King Cup debut in 2022 and went undefeated (3–0) in April’s Europe/Africa Group I event, notching wins over France’s Varvara Gracheva, Sweden’s Lisa Zaar, and Hungary’s Anna Bondar.

With Türkiye bidding to reach the Qualifiers for the first time, her steady rise comes at a perfect moment.

“We will try to play our best tennis,” she added. “We love to represent our country. We are proud to be here. We are a great team and will try to give our best, and then we will see.”

A Friendship That Travels the Tour

Sönmez’s match against Eva Lys carried added meaning. The two travel together frequently, confide in one another, and share a warm off-court friendship that contrasts with the competitive intensity on court.

“She is one of the nicest girls on tour,” Sönmez said with a smile. “She is always smiling, always positive. It’s fun to spend time with her. She gives me a lot of good energy. When I am down or sad, I know I can go to Eva and talk to her. We are very good friends and it’s great to have her in my life.”

A Versatile and Evolving Game

Sönmez describes her playing style as aggressive but adaptable—an approach that has helped her transition from ITF World Tennis Tour titles to deeper runs at WTA level..

“I play quite aggressive,” she explained. “I don’t play so close to the line, but I always try to go in and end up at the volley. But I also have a defensive side.”

This balance paid off in 2024, when she won her maiden WTA 250 title in Mérida, Mexico—becoming only the second Turkish woman ever to win a WTA event, following Cagla Büyukakcay’s historic victory in Istanbul in 2016.

“It was really great. I love Mexico. I feel so loved there,” she recalled. “It was very special winning my first WTA title. I will always remember that tournament.”

In 2025, she broke another barrier, becoming the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to reach the third round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon; Bahtiye Musluoglu was the last to do that at the 1950 French Open.

Grounded by Home, Driven by Passion

Despite her global travel schedule, Istanbul remains her base.

“I don’t practice at one particular club,” she said. “It’s changing, but most of the time I am traveling, so I don’t spend much time there.”

When she is home, she prefers quiet evenings with loved ones. A passionate fan of cinema, she views movies as a source of balance and strength.

“I like to go to the cinema to watch movies,” she said. “When I am at home, I prefer to stay at home, since I’m rarely there. I want to spend time with my family and loved ones.”

Her favorite films? “That’s a very difficult question,” she laughed. “I love the 'Lord of the Rings' series, but there are many movies I like.”

Looking Ahead

Sönmez doesn’t name a single tennis idol. Instead, she absorbs different qualities from different players, building her craft steadily and deliberately. It’s a philosophy that mirrors her path: a collection of small, meaningful steps that have brought her to the edge of something big—not just for herself, but for Turkish tennis.

As Türkiye pushes for a historic spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, Sönmez stands at the heart of the effort: composed, determined and ready for the next challenge.