Sonay Kartal, 22, is set to mark her remarkable second-round victory at Wimbledon with a new tattoo, after etching herself into tournament history.
The Brighton player, ranked 298th in the world, became the first British woman since 1997 to reach the last 32 as a qualifier, defeating Clara Burel of France 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in a hard-fought match. Her next challenge: a third-round clash with Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, who sits 296 places above her.
Kartal, known for her visible tattoos, including a symbol of bravery on her wrist, hinted at adding another tattoo if she defeats Gauff. She expressed happiness and pride in her performance, highlighting her ability to maintain composure during crucial moments.
Supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, Kartal aims to break into the Top 100 and sees her Wimbledon success as a stepping stone to bigger tournaments.
Reflecting on her upcoming match against Gauff, Kartal emphasized her excitement at potentially playing on Centre Court and her determination to approach the match with confidence and enjoyment, regardless of the outcome.