Zeynep Sonmez forced to leave the game after a dramatic fall (VIDEO)

Roland Garros once again became the scene of a troubling situation that shook the world of tennis, leaving fans and players in shock. Zeynep Sonmez saw her participation in the tournament abruptly interrupted after an unexpected and avoidable accident during a doubles match. The Turkish player, who was partnering with the experienced German Tatjana Maria, suffered a serious fall after tripping over an advertising panel placed dangerously close to the wall, culminating in a violent collision that forced her to leave the court and the tournament.

The incident occurred early in the match, when Sonmez, already trailing 0-2, attempted to respond to a deep shot from the Ukrainian duo Alina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska. In an effort to reach the ball, the Turkish player showed some hesitation, as the proximity of the wall behind the court made the play particularly challenging. It was precisely at that moment that she tripped over the advertising support, which was positioned too exposed on the ground and lacked proper safety measures, leading to a fall that left her visibly in pain and unable to continue the match.

Tatjana Maria did not hesitate to rush to her partner’s aid, showing immediate concern, while the Ukrainian opponents also approached to assess the situation. The severity of Sonmez’s ankle injury made it impossible for her to continue, conceding victory to the opponents, but in a completely unwanted and controversial manner.

This incident is not an isolated case at the 2024 Roland Garros. It should be noted that Alexander Blockx, a young Belgian prospect, also had to withdraw from the tournament after injuring himself by tripping over the protective covers placed behind the court. Blockx expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the lack of safety in the placement of these elements and lamenting the injury that prevented him from competing against Alex de Minaur.

The repetition of these accidents raises serious questions about the organization of the tournament and the placement of equipment on the court. Fans, experts, and players are calling for urgent measures to ensure not only the spectacle but, above all, the physical integrity of the athletes. The fall of Zeynep Sonmez is the latest warning about the need to review safety conditions at Roland Garros, or we risk continuing to witness avoidable accidents that tarnish the reputation of the Parisian Grand Slam and jeopardize promising careers.

While the organization does not respond with concrete measures, the shadow of controversy hangs over the tournament, leaving the question in the air: how many more players will have to suffer for something to be done?

This article first appeared on Apito Final.