PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 15, 2026

Zeynep Sonmez

Press Conference

Z. SONMEZ/J. Paolini

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: A great win today. Very dominant performance against a tough player. What were you most pleased about today?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: Yeah, I think I played a good match. Actually, I played a great match (smiling).

I think from the first point till the last point, I was feeling the ball well. Even from the first game, I felt like it's going to be a good match, you know. I was feeling the ball, I was feeling good on the court when I was moving, when I was going to the net or serving and everything.

So overall, I think I was following the plan that we had quite well, so I think me and probably my team is very happy about that (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I think not just today but you have had some good matches through quallies and playing Jasmine today. I'm curious about your preparation in between Miami to now, transitioning onto the clay, especially with the indoor. What was your preparation getting ready for the clay season?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: Yeah, actually, I started practicing on clay like not a long time ago, actually, because I was a little bit struggling with my leg. So I was getting treatments back at home.

First few days, I was just sliding and trying to get used to clay, how to move on clay without the ball. We were practicing how to move and stuff like that.

Then we started with playing little later than that, so I think it helped me quite a lot, because now I feel like I can move better on the court. Last year, the previous year, I was not really focusing on my footwork a lot on clay court. This year we focused on it a little bit more, and I think I feel like I'm moving better on the court.

Q. Are you surprised about this match, this level that you put on court? Or there is something that you really think you did very well since the beginning?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm surprised, because, you know, as a tennis player, we dream about these moments, we dream about playing very well or we visualize these kind of matches quite a lot. I mean, I do.

You know, I play the matches in my head before I go on the court. I mean, this scenario happened in my head before, so I'm not, like, you know, extremely surprised, but I'm very happy with the level that I put on the court today.

So, yeah, I mean, it was a great match. I mean, sometimes there are days where you feel the ball great and where you feel great on the court, and it was one of those days for me today.

Q. How would you rate this performance from 1 to 10?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: I mean, I think it's, like, a good 8, 9, I would say. A good 8 (smiling).

Q. I believe in your next round you're going to play Leylah. I don't think you have played on the tour level head-to-head yet. What are your thoughts on playing her for a spot in the quarterfinals?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: Yeah, I never played against her. She's a great player. She had very good results. She's in top 50 for a long time now. She's a very nice girl. I really like her, too.

I think it's going to be a great match, I hope. I'm going to try to play my best tennis. I'm going to try to enjoy being on the court. I hope to play a good match.

Q. Definitely. This is more of a random question, but I have been asking some of the players about it. Tournament music and DJs, in between sets and games, I'm curious, do you have a preferred type of music if you could be a DJ yourself? And what tournaments have good music and which maybe you could see improvement?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: I think that the music was great today (smiling). I really liked it, you know. I mean, the music in there was great. I enjoyed it.

There are some tournaments where the music is great, and I think it's good to have great music on the changeovers.

Q. If you say you visualize your games and perfect games maybe, what do you visualize for your career going on? Did you see yourself already lifting a Grand Slam trophy or at least driving a nice sports car down the ramp?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: Yeah, definitely cars are a good motivation. When you sit on the changeovers, you see the cars there, and you're, like, Maybe I can push a little bit more, you know.

Yeah, of course I dream about lifting a Grand Slam trophy. All the Grand Slams, actually. You know, I visualize it, and since I was a kid, you know, I have been dreaming about winning a Grand Slam. It's one of my biggest dreams.

But, you know, I'm trying to take it not that far. I'm trying to just focus on myself, focus on improving my game and my mindset on the court.

Q. This is more general about, let's say, Turkish fans, because I see that many, many people are following you from Turkey, and it's been like this also for some other WTA players, for example, in the previous years, but also in general sports. As soon as there is a Turkish player athlete, they are basically cheering a lot and supporting a lot. I wonder how much it please you or if it also gives you somewhat pressure to perform to please them?

ZEYNEP SONMEZ: I mean, I'm not thinking of, like, I'm trying not to think of it as pressure, but as Billie Jean said, "Pressure is a privilege," so I know that I'm doing something good. That's why I feel this pressure sometimes.

So I'm trying to take that, embrace it, and try to do my best on the court. I don't owe anything to anyone, actually. I'm just a girl playing tennis, trying to enjoy playing tennis, and this is my job, trying to do my job as best as I can.

It's an honor to represent my country, and I really feel the support, so I'm very, very grateful for that. But, you know, I'm trying to do my best. Like, here in Germany there are a lot of Turkish people, so I'm glad that they show up and they come and they support me.