Tennis
SonayKartal
Sonay Kartal is a 24-year-old British tennis player whose compact movement and early forehand preparation allow her to redirect pace despite standing 163cm tall. Her 2026 comeback has become a test of resilience as much as technique after a back injury kept her out for six months.
About Kartal
A return that accelerated in Wuhan
Kartal came back in September and reached her first WTA 1000 semi-final in Wuhan by beating world No.6 Elina Svitolina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. The quarter-final lasted two hours and three minutes, with Kartal earning her first break point of the deciding set as a match point and converting it immediately.
She owns one WTA title, fourteen ITF titles and a career-high ranking of No.44. Her best Grand Slam run reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2025. Rather than relying on a dominant serve, Kartal wins by taking the ball early, keeping her court position and making an opponent play another accurate shot.
| Age | 24 |
|---|---|
| Height | 163cm |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Career-high singles ranking | No.44 |
| Senior titles | One WTA and fourteen ITF |
Why her profile is different
Kartal’s current ranking reflects time away rather than a simple loss of level. The Wuhan run shows that her timing can return quickly when her body allows consistent practice. The next step is managing recovery between tournaments so one excellent week becomes a sustainable schedule rather than another interruption.