Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez has claimed that she was banned from wearing a pro-Palestine pin while competing at Wimbledon.
During her recent matches at the All England Club, Sonmez's racket featured a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener, a nod to the fruit grown in Palestine, which is often used as a substitute for their flag.
The 24-year-old has previously worn a similar pin on her dress when playing, but said she was informed by tournament officials that they no longer allow such pins.
According to Sonmez, the organizers explained that the Ukrainian flag is allowed, but the Palestinian flag is not.
As a result, Sonmez decided to display the watermelon symbol on her racket instead, a move she felt was allowed under tournament rules.
Her decision has drawn support from Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak, who praised Sonmez for her courage and willingness to speak out on the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine.
Bak expressed admiration for Sonmez's stance, stating that sport is not just about competition, but also a carrier of universal values.
In a previous interview, Sonmez spoke about her decision to wear a Palestine pin while competing, saying that it's a sensitive issue for her and that she wants to raise awareness about the suffering of people in Palestine.
Wimbledon, on the other hand, has a strict all-white dress code for players, which has been applied consistently over the years.
However, the organizers have shown a willingness to bend the rules on occasion, allowing players to wear black ribbons or other symbols of solidarity with victims of conflict.
It remains to be seen whether Sonmez's decision to display the watermelon symbol on her racket will have any impact on her participation in future tournaments.
