Sonay Kartal is an emerging British tennis player making waves on the professional circuit. Born on October 28, 2001, in Sidcup, London, she has quickly established herself as a formidable competitor, particularly in singles, where she has achieved a career-high ranking of No. 96 as of September 2024.
Sonay Kartal Early Life and Background
Kartal began playing tennis at the age of six, inspired by watching her older brother play. She trained at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club in Brighton, where she continues to develop her skills today. Of Turkish descent through her father, Kartal has embraced her multicultural background while pursuing her tennis career. She attended Longhill High School and has cited tennis legends Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters as her idols.
Professional Career - ITF Circuit Success
Kartal turned professional in 2019 and started competing on the ITF Circuit, where she has since won thirteen singles titles. Her first significant victory came in November 2021 at a $15K event in Antalya, Turkey, followed by another title at the Monastir $15K event shortly after. These wins marked the beginning of her rise through the ranks.
In 2022, Kartal continued to build on her success by winning multiple titles, including two $25K events in Birmingham and Glasgow. Her consistent performances helped her break into the top 200 rankings for the first time.
Breakthrough at Wimbledon
In June 2024, Kartal qualified for the Wimbledon Championships for the first time after previously receiving wildcards in earlier editions. During the tournament, she achieved a remarkable feat by defeating 29th seed Sorana Cirstea and world No. 45 Clara Burel to reach the third round. This accomplishment made her only the second British woman in the Open Era to reach this stage as a qualifier since Karen Cross in 1997.
First WTA Title
Kartal's most significant achievement came in September 2024 when she won her first WTA title at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia. In a hard-fought final against Slovakia's Rebecca Šramková, she secured victory with a score of 6-3, 7-5. This win not only marked a milestone in her career but also propelled her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings for the first time.
Reflecting on her journey, Kartal expressed pride in her progress over the past year, stating that she initially aimed to break into the top 150 but exceeded that goal significantly. She emphasized the importance of competitive matches and credited ITF events for providing valuable experience that contributed to her recent successes.
Playing Style
Kartal is known for her aggressive baseline play and tactical awareness on court. Her ability to adapt during matches and maintain composure under pressure has been key to her success against higher-ranked opponents.
Personal Life
Outside of tennis, Kartal enjoys music and is a fan of football. She has expressed a love for karaoke and often shares glimpses of her life outside of tennis with fans through social media.
Sonay Kartal Conclusion
Sonay Kartal's ascent in professional tennis reflects her hard work and determination. With multiple titles under her belt and impressive performances at major tournaments like Wimbledon and the Jasmin Open, she is poised for further success as she continues to climb the WTA rankings. As one of Britain's promising talents, Kartal is certainly a player to watch in the coming years as she aims for even greater achievements on the global stage.
