Playing the big moments, an internal drive & family support – how Sonay Kartal reached the Wimbledon fourth round
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Stepping up to serve on match point for what would be the biggest win of Sonay Kartal’s tennis career, it would be normal to expect a few nerves – but not for the British No.3.
The 23-year-old backed up her sixth ace of the match with another unreturnable first serve to book her place in the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
Back on the same court that she lost to Coco Gauff on last year at the same stage, Kartal made no mistake up against a strong grass court player in Diane Parry – coming through 6-4, 6-2 to claim a first win on No.1 Court.
The player who stepped out in front of the packed-out British crowd is a very different one to the young qualifier who made it through five matches to reach the round of 32 last season.
Kartal used last year’s success as a launch pad to catapult herself up the rankings from world No.298 to a career-high world No.44 in the current live rankings – just a few places away from the British No.1 spot.
It’s allowed her to play and compete on the biggest stages – including several of the WTA 1000 events – and the Brighton-native has built on the experience to handle and excel in the big moments.
“I think last year's match helped me a lot,” Kartal said reflecting on what she’s learnt from the last year on tour.
“I think I left that court last year feeling like I didn't play my best level because of the nerves I was carrying. I think today I just wanted to just try my best, to put them aside as best as I could.
“Obviously, it's easier said than done, but I was just trying to relax myself and kind of relax the shoulders and I guess trying to hit through the ball much more.”
When asked about the potential rise in pressure and attention as a British player through to the fourth round at Wimbledon, Kartal added: “I enjoy it. I think it's an honor. If you've got a lot of attention on you, it means you're doing good things.
“I'm pretty calm and pretty collected. I don't think it's going to affect me too much. I’m still pretty young, it's my first fourth round. I think the pressure that I'll feel is the pressure I will be putting on myself just wanting to perform as best as I can.”
To reach the heights that Kartal has in such a short period of time, you have to not only have great talent but also a strong mindset – something that Kartal has acknowledged several times in the past.
I had all my closest family in the box and coaches that I've been with. Those guys were in the box. That was super special.
Commenting on what has been the driving force behind her success, the British No.3 said: “The drive comes from myself. I'm super disciplined. I'm super determined. When I set my mind to something, I want to achieve it. I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
“I always felt like I was slightly different as a player to most players at the time that I was growing up.
“I had a lot of belief. I had good people around me that really backed me and said that I just needed a good run, I could have a breakout year.”
Her positive mentality is something that Kartal has picked up from her family – many of whom were in the stands on No.1 Court cheering and celebrating after the Brit came through with another straight sets win.
“Growing up, my family was super supportive,” she explained. “They said whatever sport or whatever you want to take up, like, as long as you try 100%, we'll back you all the way.
“I think I was super lucky with that – they backed me. I think I got into tennis from my brother. He used to play. As a younger sister, I used to go up and watch him, want to copy him.
“I had all my closest family in the box and coaches that I've been with. Those guys were in the box. Then I had a lot of people scattered on the seats all from kind of like my club, members that I've known since I was six. That was super special.”
Kartal will return on Sunday to face Anastasia Pavlyunchenkova for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-final.
