LONDON — Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez said Wimbledon organizers prohibited her from wearing a pin expressing support for Palestine during this year’s tournament, prompting her to instead display a watermelon symbol on her racquet.
Sonmez, whose Wimbledon campaign ended with a second-round defeat, said she raised the issue with tournament officials but was ultimately informed that the pin would not be permitted.
“I used to wear a pin,” Sonmez told reporters. “The tournaments no longer allow me to wear it. We had a discussion with the organizers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed, but not the Palestinian one. They finally told us they certainly would not allow it.”
Unable to wear the pin, Sonmez said she chose another symbol to express her support.
“On the other hand, I can use a vibration dampener and they can’t say anything about it,” she said. “That’s why I put the watermelon symbol on my racquet.”
The watermelon has become a widely recognized symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because its red, green, black and white colors mirror those of the Palestinian flag. The image has increasingly been used in artwork, demonstrations and online campaigns, particularly in situations where displaying the Palestinian flag has been restricted.
Wimbledon has not publicly commented on Sonmez’s remarks. The tournament has long maintained regulations governing player attire and on-court equipment, while also enforcing rules regarding political, religious and personal statements during competition.
Sonmez’s comments add to the broader debate surrounding athletes’ freedom of expression at major sporting events, where organizers often seek to balance neutrality policies with competitors’ desire to express personal views on global issues.
