Who is Sonay Kartal? The World No. 298 Brit who has reached R3 of Wimbledon 2024

Sonay Kartal has been featuring in the main draw of Wimbledon since 2022.

Sonay Kartal has become Great Britain’s latest sensation at the ongoing Wimbledon 2024 Championships. She became the second British Qualifier after Karen Cross in 1997 to enter the third round at the prestigious grass court event. 

The 22-year-old defeated Clara Burel 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the second round and will next face Coco Gauff. She had never won a WTA tour match before entering the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. Kartal secured her first tour victory against 29th seed, Sorana Cristea in the opening round.

The British Qualifier seems to be facing her challenges with a smile. Kartal indicated she was ready for the third-round battle with Gauff by posting the same on Instagram.

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A post shared by Sonay Kartal (@sonay__kartal)

The 22-year-old had featured in WTA tour events in her career but could not record a victory in any of them. But Kartal’s fortune changed when she entered the grass courts at Wimbledon. Prior to her breakthrough this week, Kartal had won her 10th ITF title at Monzon, Spain in May. 

The young Brit was born in Brighton on October 28, 2001. Her father had owned two Turkish restaurants at Brighton. Her first stint in Tennis started when a LTA coach visited the restaurant and encouraged Kartal’s brother to visit a nearby club.

Kartal accompanied her brother and the coaches eventually spotted her talent. She met her current coach at the club.

Kartal trains with her childhood coach Julie Hobbs and Ben Reeve at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club. She had started playing the sport 16 years ago at the same club where she met Hobbs. Kartal had met Roger Federer in the club in 2019 and even took a picture with the legend.

The Wimbledon star played her first professional match in 2019 and won her first ITF title in 2019. Kartal made her WTA tour debut in 2022 at the Nottingham grass courts. She considers Wimbledon as her favorite event.

It is no wonder that Kartal has been able to play well on the surface. She idolises Federer, Andy Murray and Kim Clijsters.

Also read: Who is Francisco Comesana? The Argentine who defeated Andrey Rublev in Wimbledon 2024 R1

Sonay Kartal has won $18,624 dollars in terms of prize money and has now collected $1,82,475 dollars after her second round win at Wimbledon.

She will be motivated on court 1 as the fans will be cheering for her at every point of the match. Kartal will be facing Gauff for the first time on the tour and can expect it to be her toughest encounter yet.

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