Turkish women’s tennis player, Zeynep Sonmez, has revealed what she asked the Wimbledon bosses after they banned her from wearing her usual pro-Palestine pin while competing at SW19 this year.

Sonmez is currently ranked number 51 in the world, and she made it through from the first round of the women’s singles by defeating Ann Li, before losing to American Claire Liu in the following round.

Despite her singles woes, Sonmez returned to the court earlier this week to compete in the women’s doubles event, alongside Jessica Maneiro. However, the duo were eliminated in round one in three sets.

Player Banned From Displaying Pro-Palestine Symbol at Wimbledon

Credit: REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

During her three-match run at this year’s edition of Wimbledon, Sonmez showed her support for Palestine through the use of a vibration dampener, which has the symbol of a watermelon.

A watermelon is grown in Palestine, and the fruit has often been used as a substitute for the flag.

Throughout her career, Sonmez has regularly attached a watermelon pin to her dress when competing, but she revealed that she was banned from wearing it at this year’s Wimbledon.

“I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it,” she told members of the media, before revealing what she had asked tournament bosses about the decision.

Why Wimbledon Bosses Banned Pro-Palestine Symbol

“We discussed with the organisers. [I asked why] the Ukrainian flag is allowed, but the Palestinian is not. They ultimately told us they definitely won’t allow it. So, I can’t wear the pin.”

Organisers are reported to have cited the tournament’s strict dress code as the reasoning behind the decision.

“I can use the vibration dampener, and they can’t object to that. That’s why I put the watermelon symbol on my racket.”

The watermelon, which features the same colours as the Palestinian flag, has become a widely-used symbol of Palestinian resilience against Israeli oppression and occupation

In response to her stance, Osman Askin Bak, who is the Turkish minister of Youth and Sports, supported her in her brave efforts by writing a post on the social media app ‘X’ which read:

“By refusing to remain silent in the face of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, she has once again demonstrated with her honourable stance that sport is not merely about competition; it is also a carrier of universal values.

“For this meaningful sensitivity, we wholeheartedly congratulate our athlete and respectfully salute every conscientious voice that stands with the oppressed.”

When previously asked about her support towards Palestine and her choice to wear a pin when in competition, Sonmez told the WTA about how it affects her emotionally:

“It’s a sensitive area for me. People in Palestine are suffering. I see videos and photos and feel like 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.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been the busiest club in the transfer market so far this summer, but they aren’t done yet.

The north London club finished 17th in the Premier League for a second consecutive season, but manager Roberto De Zerbi has been given a war chest to rebuild the squad and make them competitive again.

So far the Italian has added Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes, while a £100m deal for Sandro Tonali has also been agreed to bring him in from Newcastle. The club are now believed to be looking at their forward line next, and the top target has been revealed.

Tottenham Prioritise Savinho Transfer

via Reuters

Spurs have shown a strong interest in a number of forward options in the market, with Crysencio Summerville among the names touted as possible options to make the switch.

But while speaking on talkSPORT, GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that there is a man above the Netherlands international on their shortlist, following Man Utd opening talks for the West Ham star.

“Talks are now underway directly between West Ham United and Manchester United for Crysencio Summerville, who’s just getting back from the World Cup, and don’t forget that Tottenham have looked at him in the past as well,” he said.

“Their primary focus is Savinho. Let’s see whether the Manchester City board choose to sanction that deal or not.”

Savinho has already agreed personal terms ahead of a move to north London and wants to join, but talks continue between the two clubs over a fee. It’s understood that City want around £60m to let the Brazilian leave.

Savinho Could Be Next In The Door

Savinho arrived at Man City from Troyes in 2024 after a terrific spell in La Liga on loan at Girona, and immediately excited fans with his tricky footwork, pace and creativity.

It’s not easy to get compliments from Pep Guardiola, but he called the youngster ‘extraordinary’, showing just how talented he is. A lack of regular game time saw his form dip, but De Zerbi is the perfect manager to get that out of his system and get him back to his best.

Spurs are ready to splash the cash, and Savinho is a player who could make a big difference to their attack next season. They’ve set their sights on the deal, and it’s one to pay attention to in the coming weeks as they look to close it.

FIFA have been urged to delay an upcoming 2026 World Cup fixture amid an increased risk of “heat related illness or even death” due to a dangerous heat wave.

All matches at this summer’s showpiece international tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico have featured three-minute hydration breaks, one in each half, to allow players to take on fluids in an effort to prevent overheating.

However, hydration breaks may not be sufficient for one upcoming last 16 clash at Lincoln Financial Field, otherwise known as the Philadelphia Stadium at the 2026 World Cup.

Heat Wave Threatens to Impact Last 16 Fixture

REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Temperatures are set to his record highs in Philadelphia, where Paraguay and France go head-to-head on Saturday.

Per talkSPORT, the heat index, including humidity, is expected to be between 37 and 46 degrees Celsius (100F – 115 Fahrenheit) this weekend.

As things stand, France’s last 16 fixture against Paraguay is scheduled to get underway at 5pm local time (10pm BST). Temperatures are still expected to be dangerously high at this point in the day, sparking concern for players, officials and fans.

FIFA’s current heat guidelines state that matches are at risk of being postponed if the wet bulb temperature reaches 32 C (89 F). There’s currently a high chance this temperature will be exceeded when Kylian Mbappe and co. face their South American opponents at the 67,594-capacity stadium which is home to NFL side Philadelphia Eagles.

“When you’re exerting yourself on a particularly hot day, the likelihood of experiencing heat related illness or even death is much higher,” Bahart Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, told the Associated Press.

It’s warned that intense exercise on such a hot day can lead to extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration – all symptoms of exertional heat illness.

FIFA Urged to Push Kick-Off Time Back

REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

Journalist Ian Nicholas Quillen has written an article for Forbes, urging FIFA to delay kick-off for Paraguay vs France.

“Let’s start with the obvious: This was entirely predictable when FIFA decided to engage in wishful thinking and schedule knockout phase matches outdoors on the East Coast during the middle of the day,” Quillen writes.

He adds: “But FIFA can still rectify its own mistake with relatively minimal consequences by preemptively delaying kick-off until the evening.”

Pushing the kick-off time back would mean “conditions would become considerably more playable just by delaying matches a few hours until the evening, when at least the impact of the sun could be mitigated.”

He warns that FIFA may find themselves in a similar predicament later in the knockout stages due to the risk of another heat wave impacting the north-east of the United States this month.