Zeynep Sonmez and Alexander Blockx have withdrawn from this year’s Roland Garros due to injuries. Nothing unusual — until the cause of those injuries became known: both players suffered accidents involving objects placed on court by the tournament organisers, further raising tensions at a controversial Grand Slam.
The Turkish player was in the third game of her doubles match alongside Germany’s Tatjana Maria when she crashed into the wall after tripping over a Lacoste advertising board installed at the back of the court.
Sonmez fell to the ground, was unable to continue the match and left the court in visible pain, bringing her Paris campaign to the worst possible end. The young player is currently one of the WTA’s most charismatic figures, combining youth, results and the massive support of Turkish fans every week.
Zeynep Sonmez running for a ball and trips over an advertising sign at the back of the court.
She got injured and had to retire from her doubles match.
What is Roland Garros doing at this point to protect the players?
This is getting ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/V6npUQZ0MS
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 29, 2026
The major problem for the Roland Garros organisers is that the case involving the world No. 66 has not been isolated. Just a few days earlier, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx suffered a similar incident and is even considering seeking financial compensation for his injury.
Unlike Sönmez, the recent Madrid Masters 1000 semi-finalist was unable even to take the court for his second-round match against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, after injuring his ankle on a rolled-up tarp at the back of one of the practice courts.
“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… that’s why I have to withdraw from tomorrow’s match… a lot of frustration but we move forward,” he originally posted on Instagram. Minutes later, he deleted the part mentioning the tarp.
Even so, the world No. 37’s team confirmed in an interview with The Athletic that they are considering requesting financial compensation from the tournament for the damage this injury could cause to his season. A similar case occurred at the 2017 US Open, when the event had to compensate Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard after she suffered a concussion from slipping on a cleaning product.
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The player himself clarified that his intention is to return for the grass-court Grand Slam, although at this stage nothing is guaranteed. “After discussing everything with the team, the goal is to return at Wimbledon, but we definitely don’t want to take any risks. We’ll work hard to come back as soon as possible,” he wrote on Instagram after leaving Paris on crutches to avoid putting weight on his ankle.
In addition, on Friday Rafael Jódar was involved in another dangerous incident linked to the tarps at the back of the courts. He was not the one affected, but rather a ball girl who tripped while crossing paths with the Spanish player. Some people on social media claimed that Jódar had pushed her, but he denied it.
“I would never push a ball girl… She was in the middle and trying to get out of there. She was moving backwards, but she didn’t trip because I pushed her. I think it was the court covering and she tripped over that,” he explained.
These incidents once again place Roland Garros at the centre of controversy. First came the players’ boycott over the distribution of prize money at the tournament, then the extreme temperatures and complaints from several players about officiating. Now, the possible responsibility of the organisers in the serious injuries suffered by two of the tournament’s protagonists.
