Britain’s third-ranked tennis star, Sonay Kartal, has been making waves at the Indian Wells tournament, overcoming the odds to secure a place in the last 16. A lucky loser in the final round of qualifying, Kartal found herself drawn into the main event and has since been enjoying a career-defining performance. This sensational run of form is set to catapult her to a career-best ranking while also earning her a cool £80k ($103k) in prize money.
At just 23, Kartal is gearing up for the biggest challenge of her career so far as she squares off against the world’s number one player, Aryna Sabalenka. Prior to this high-stakes match, Kartal gave insights into her plans for the hefty prize money she has won so far, revealing her intent to reinvest it all into her tennis career.
This is a first for Kartal, who had never been part of the main draw of a WTA 1000 event before now. But having been given a second chance as a lucky loser, she has seized the opportunity with both hands, blazing her way through the competition without losing a single set.
Kartal’s journey to the top 16 was nothing short of impressive. Ranked 83rd in the world, she scored the most significant victory of her career in the second round by defeating 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. She then followed this up by triumphing over Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-3, securing her place in the round of 16.
These victories have provided Kartal with a guaranteed 120 additional ranking points and £80k in prize money. She plans to utilize this money to improve her performance, stating in an interview with Sky Sports, “Wins like today definitely do kind of take that financial pressure off, it means I can go to tournaments with a bigger team that are going to aid my performance,”
However, overcoming injuries has been a challenge for Kartal. Winning her next match and progressing to the quarter-finals could see her prize total soar to £146k, but she faces a stern test as she is set to go against three-time Major winner Sabalenka.
Despite the daunting task, the British starlet relishes the challenge. She has previously faced top-tier players, including a match against Coco Gauff in the third round of Wimbledon last summer, which she says taught her a lot.
Kartal also enjoys a unique advantage at the Californian desert tournament, known for its windy conditions. Born and raised in Brighton, she spent years training in windy seaside conditions at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club, which she believes works to her advantage.
Her performance has not gone unnoticed. Even her next opponent, Sabalenka, has commended her, noting that she plays “quite decent tennis” based on the few games she has seen.
As Kartal continues her journey at Indian Wells, she is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and seizing second chances. Whether she walks away with the trophy or not, her career is set for a significant boost.