From a 993 ranking to a historic British tennis milestone
In short: Kartal became only the second British female during the Open Era to enter a Major's third round via qualifying in 2024. Her meteoric rise from the bottom of the rankings to the top 50 highlights a remarkable trajectory of persistence and rapid progression.
Sonay Kartal's professional journey began with a steep climb. At the end of 2021, she was ranked 993rd in the world. However, a prolific 2022 season saw her break into the top 200, ending the year at world No. 198—a jump of nearly 800 places. This momentum continued into 2024, where she secured her first WTA Tour title at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, propelling her into the top 100 and reaching a career-high of No. 96.
Her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2024 was particularly significant for British tennis history. By qualifying for the main draw and advancing to the third round, she became the first British woman to achieve this feat since Karen Cross in 1997. Her achievement was supported by several notable triumphs, such as beating Clara Burel, who was ranked 45th globally, and Sorana Cirstea, the 29th seed, prior to her encounter with top-ranked Coco Gauff.
The 2025 season saw Kartal reach new heights, including a career-high ranking of No. 44 in July 2025 and a top-50 debut in June. She demonstrated her ability to compete with the elite, reaching the fourth round of a Major and the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament at the China Open, where she defeated world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva. Despite a significant lower back injury in early 2026 that forced her to miss several tournaments, she remains a prominent figure in British tennis, named the 2025 Lawn Tennis Association female player of the year.
Kartal's career is defined by her versatility and rapid ascent. She has won 14 ITF titles and one WTA Tour title in singles. Her performance against the world's best is notable as well; she holds a 1–2 record against top-10 ranked players, showcasing her ability to challenge the highest tier of the sport.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sonay Kartal
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