Turkey’s tennis sensation, Zeynep Sonmez, was all smiles during her practice session on Court No. 5 at the Nungambakkam Stadium. A lighthearted moment, as her hitting partner sent a ball into a nearby house, perfectly captured her relaxed yet focused demeanor.
At just 23, Sonmez is riding high on confidence, having achieved a personal best ranking of 69. Her status as the top seed at the WTA 250 Chennai Open, which kicks off on Monday, highlights her impressive ascent in the world of professional tennis.
Despite a year without a dedicated tennis coach since parting ways with Mert Ertunga, Sonmez remains unfazed. She expresses immense satisfaction with her mental and fitness coach, Mehmet Bayraktar, a partnership that has thrived for the past seven years.
Emphasizing the crucial role of a wellness coach, Sonmez explained, “We’ve been working together closely. At the top 100 level, everyone’s physical game is quite similar. What truly differentiates players is their mental preparation and ability to stay focused during a match. I’m hoping to bring in a new coach by the end of the year.”
Her victory at the Merida Open Akron last year marked a significant milestone. For Sonmez, who began her tennis journey as a ball girl at the tender age of five, clinching her first WTA Tour title was an extraordinary accomplishment.
“That win was incredibly important, not just for me, but for my country as well,” she recalled. “It proved to me that I could consistently perform at a high level, not just for a match or two, and that boost in confidence has stayed with me. I still feel immense joy thinking about winning Merida 250.”
As a burgeoning star for Turkey, Sonmez is determined to deliver her absolute best performance at the Chennai Open. She concluded, “I don’t focus on rigid short or long-term goals; my only aim is to improve my tennis game every single day.”