Wimbledon has ruled that a watermelon symbol widely associated with Palestine does not breach its rules on political messaging, despite tournament rules prohibiting political messaging from players on court. The Mail has the story.
The All England Club said the watermelon-shaped vibration dampener attached to Zeynep Sönmez’s, 24, racket did not meet the threshold for punishment, even though tournament rules prohibit political messaging from players on court.
Explaining the decision, Tournament Director Jamie Baker said: “We don’t allow any kind of political messaging from players on court, certainly that caused any type of disruption. That has been consistent across the rules for a long time.
“But in terms of the watermelon, we don’t think that’s meeting the threshold for causing any type of disruption… or worth any punishment.”
The comments come after Sönmez revealed she had switched from wearing a Palestine pin to using the watermelon symbol on her racket after discussions with tournament organisers.
The watermelon has become a widely recognised symbol of Palestinian identity because it contains the same colours as the Palestinian flag – red, green, white and black – and has long been used as an alternative emblem.
Speaking to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, the world No 51 said: “I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it. We had a discussion with the organisers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not.
“They ultimately told us they definitely would not allow it. So, I can’t wear the pin. 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 issue has prompted questions over where Wimbledon draws the line on political symbols.
As earlier this week, Ukrainian player Daria Snigur was photographed wearing a Ukrainian flag pin on top of her white tennis dress while competing at the Championships.
Asked why Sönmez was told she could not wear a Palestine pin while Snigur was permitted to wear a Ukrainian emblem, Baker insisted the two situations were not comparable.
“The Ukrainian situation was obviously quite unique, and we were following our government guidance and the international response. We provided support to our Ukrainian players for quite a while, so that was an individual situation.”
Worth reading in full.
Discussion
Comments
This week across the site:
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to the Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.
Speaking of the Unholy Muslim-Marxist Alliance shoving politics into every sport, have a look at this one:
England vs Mexico: Far-left protesters threaten violence against England fans in Mexico over British ‘colonialism’
Mexico??? Colonized by Spain??? But somehow, as usual, England & the English People & White Men in General are to blame for everything bad in the world. The Mexican Marxists are calling themselves “The Anti-Globalist Assembly”, code for “Funded by Globalists”.
Just for interest’s sake, look at the striking photo halfway down in the article above, of one “England football star” usually photographed next to Harry Kane for DEI, and another England player usually pushed into the background, despite setting up Harry Kane’s goals … and decide which one has a natural laughing smile and which one looks fake & creepy.
I thought Wimbledon had the “wear white” mantra, but I’m surprised that hasn’t triggered the diversity crowd! As for Racketgate, I guess we’re going to need rules on logo size, colour, etc. or a referendum on offence caused!
And the swastika is actually an ancient symbol of peace…
S C U M
I guess the Wimbledon Director knows that those promoting the Palestinian “cause” must be appeased at all times.
I wonder who made that clear to him?
Just tell them all that they operate here under our rules. We set the rules. If they don’t like it then they can depart on the next plane before we deport them for stirring up racial hatred of Jews.
Sick to death of our weakling, female emotions dominated anxiety. Get real men back in charge and change it all.
Turks are also Ottomans – Muhammadan invaders of Europe. They are an enemy of Europe and must be treated with extreme caution. They will support and aid the Muhammadan hordes who are here on our country.
The toughest and best political leader of my lifetime was Margaret Thatcher so kindly give your anti women remarks a rest please
What, you mean not “The Lettuce” ?
No political symbols? So no country or community flags? No UK? No UK nations? No EU (spit)? No Turkey even? But Ukraine is OK? WTAF?
Edit: FFS: Watermelon is a euphemism for Palestine?
I always wondered about the watermelon relevance, but it still doesn’t make sense. Watermelons don’t have black or white in them and their flesh is more pink than red, I would say. Sure, they’ve a few black seeds, but I think stating it resembles the Palestine flag due to having the same colours is scraping the barrel and comes off as very immature. It just makes these people look even more loony tunes.
Anyway, I find this story very silly and trivial. Can players not wear crucifixes or Star of David necklaces? What if this player had a slice of watermelon tattooed on her hand/arm? Would they make her cover it up with heavy-duty concealer?
I will await the collective outrage from the Jewish community due to them being severely offended by a titchy little vibration thingy, or perhaps we can expect a statement from Netanyahu in due course, exclaiming his utter disgust with Wimbledon. You never know, perhaps they ban the eating of watermelons in Israel for this very reason, such is their level of intolerance for this particular symbolic fruit. I mean, imagine the emotions they must experience every time they set eyes on the fruit of their… Read more »
I know you think these long replies are interesting, but they’re dull af.
Which ”long replies”? It would appear your presumed powers of telepathy are on the blink. I don’t ”think” I’m anything other than what I am. Carry on seething. The cope is hilarious.😆
🤣🤣🤣 Hear, hear, WillP !!!
Watermelon is the green outside, Marxist inside symbol. Now that I have learned that it is also a symbol for these troublesome people from the Middle East I shall act accordingly.
Know your enemy.
Which is why most environmentalists are watermelons. Green on the outside, red on the inside.
Whether a symbol worn by a player meets the threshold of being political is dependent on whether it represents a woke, “progressive” cause or not.
And this is not just a case with political symbolism: it applies to every aspect of life: the assessment of the severity of a criminal offence, social media post, public behaviour, policing standards, everything.
It’s a rotting edifice.
When I was still a child, I had a tennis racquet with a Union flag at the top of the handle.
I wonder if that would be permitted at Wimbledon these days?
No but the Ukrainian flag is permitted because people who display it are all virtuous, kind folk.
In contrast people who display the Union flag are all bigoted racists.
So they you go.
I know. Maybe you could also have the initials of Zelensky’s new regiment, UPA, named after the one that butchered over 100,000 Poles in WW2
No
If anyone recognises it as political the player should be challenged. Many of the players may have been brainwashed into supporting currently fashionable issues among the tax payer sect and “celebrity” group. But when challenged any reference to a political issue should be accepted and withdrawn or clearly explained as being some other issue.
This isn’t difficult.
Emblems of a red rose, a swastika or a pale blue tree would be clearly known as political campaigning as would a Hamas, “Palistinian” flag or Hezbullah.
By tolerating this Wimbledon are knowingly associating themselves with a murderous political terrorist group. If they or their friends here got control we know that women would not be permitted to play tennis at all.
Happens all the time.
TfL clains not to allow political campaign adverts but they show extraordinary numbers with images and references to Khan as London elections draw near.
Just yesterday I saw an advertisement attacking chicken production. Clearly political and there was no contrary opinion alongside.
Years ago I tried to hand out election leaflets to commuters at a tube station. I was moved on as TfL claimed the land was theirs. A few weeks later transport unions were distributing leaflets inside a station in which they made demands for pay rises. That was clearly political and intended to put pressure on TfL to pay up.
But who will challenge Wimbledon. I anticipate many of the Association are ardent supporters of the old elites who all hate Israel and want a bloodbath as Hamas etc give effect to “river to the sea”.