Amid health issues caused by the sweltering heat, a media boycott prompted by the prize pool, and the debate over the heat rule, a new controversy has pulled focus at the 2026 French Open as Zeynep Sönmez became the latest casualty of the advertising boards lining the courts. The alarming trend has drawn furious backlash from Pam Shriver, Katie Boulter, and others in the tennis community, with serious concerns raised about player welfare.
Pam Shriver and Katie Boulter Blast ‘Insane’ French Open Hazard After Zeynep Sönmez Injury
After losing in the first round of the singles event at the clay-court Major, Sönmez turned her attention to her women’s doubles campaign alongside partner Tatjana Maria. However, their second-round clash was derailed when the Turkish star tripped over the Lacoste advertising board at the back of the court while chasing a lob and was forced to retire from the match in visible pain.
Zeynep Sonmez, yaşadığı bu talihsiz kazanın ardından çiftler maçından çekilmek zorunda kaldı… #RolandGarros
🙏 Geçmiş olsun Zeynep. pic.twitter.com/8WkRgRpa1z
— Eurosport TR (@Eurosport_TR) May 29, 2026
Sönmez is far from the only player to have fallen victim to the advertising boards and tarp present at the back of the court. Katie Boulter was also brought down to her knees after tripping over a board during her second-round clash. The Brit later emphatically called for the boards to be removed after narrowly avoiding a serious injury.
“THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. Got lucky last night but next time I might not be…,” she posted.
MORE: ‘I Don’t Understand’ – Novak Djokovic Slams French Open Heat Rule As Players Continue To Suffer
Similarly, Alexander Blockx initially blamed the courtside tarp for the ankle injury that forced him to pull out of the French Open before his second-round showdown with Alex de Minaur. The Belgian later removed the criticism of the covers from his Instagram post.
“Unfortunately during today’s practice i heard a snap in my ankle while i sprained it thanks to the “really necessary” covers at the back of the court @rolandgarros which is why i had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that i was really looking forward to,” his initial statement read.
Interestingly, Sönmez and Maria’s opponents, Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska, were spotted discussing the placement of the advertising board and tarp just moments before the Turk retired.
kalinina and yastremska just discussed the box and tarps (that alexander blockx and goffin destroyed their ankles on) situation https://t.co/em47oYK88D pic.twitter.com/hOsjl7GLx0
— rita MAJA CHWALIŃSKA (@seulzalabim) May 29, 2026
Sönmez suffering a similar fate prompted Boulter to once again lament the risk posed by the boards.
“Omg! Not again!😩,” she commented.
Following Boulter’s incident, Pam Shriver raised alarm bells about player welfare at the French Open, pointing to the dispute over prize money and the subpar heat rule. Casper Ruud, Jakub Menšík, and several others have dealt with health issues caused by the heat during their campaigns.
“Tarps in play, Lacoste signs in play, large white sponsor signage on back wall hurting vision, sub par umbrellas for shade, suboptimal % of prize money, no heat rule… how else are players well fair not being looked after?,” Shriver posted.
Given her earlier criticism, Shriver was in disbelief that the “insane” hazard had also taken out Sönmez, bluntly urging Roland Garros to prioritize player safety.
“I can’t believe 30 minutes after this reply to Lorena what I just saw on Court 6 doubles w Somnez chasing a lob and Lacoste sign and tarp took her out. I posted on my instagram,” she commented.
“Roland Garros it’s time to care for player’s safety. Somnez just taken out by Lacoste signage that’s IN THE FIELD OF PLAY. This is insane,” Shriver added in her Instagram caption.
Tennis journalists José Morgado and José Morón also condemned the “unbelievable” situation, questioning why the advertising boards hadn’t been removed despite the risk to the players.
“Zeynep Sonmez just had to retire from her doubles match at #RolandGarros because of this… Unbelievable that tennis can’t learn from previous incidents,” Morgado wrote.
“A tennis player has been injured because of the Lacoste advertising board. There had already been hints of other problems in the previous days. Sonmez has even been forced to withdraw. They must remove this as soon as possible. Advertising can be done without putting tennis players at risk,” Morón argued.
The extent of Zeynep Sönmez’s injury remains unclear, but the Turk will hope to regain full fitness ahead of the upcoming grass-court season. The world No. 66 is currently set to commence her preparations for Wimbledon at the Libema Open. The WTA 250 event is scheduled to begin on June 8.
