Exclusive interview
Sonay Kartal ‘buzzing’ to get new season underway with a fresh new schedule for 2025
Sonay Kartal had arguably the breakthrough season of any British player on the WTA Tour this year.
At the start of the year, the 23-year-old was ranked as the world No.252 but went on to finish the season at No.85 and a first WTA title.
As we come to the end of what has been whirlwind year for the Brit, Kartal is already gearing up for 2025 with a new schedule, renewed aspirations and even more confidence in her game.
We caught up with Kartal – who is supported by the Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus – at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton during her intense off-season training schedule.
“It’ a lot of time in the gym, making yourself feel as uncomfortable as you can physically and pushing yourself,” Kartal said, discussing her programme ahead of the Australian swing in January.
“I didn’t take much time off, spent a bit of family time at home as I know I’ll have even less next year. I did that for about a week and then got stuck into training.
“I’m in week three now, the first two were just pure fitness, endurance training, weights every day, double sessions and then finishing with a swim. It’s about getting yourself into the best shape possible – it’s just how strong and physical you can get for the new season.”
While she’s been back home for a longer period than usual, the Brighton-native has had chance to reflect on a season, where she’s ticked off several big milestones in any players career – a maiden WTA title at the Jasmin Open, making the third round of Wimbledon as a qualifier, and breaking into the top 100.
“It’s been an unbelievable year,” said the British No.3. “At the start of the year, I wanted to reach the top 150 and in that week in Tunisia I did that and then went on to reach the top 100 as well. I didn’t expect that – Wimbledon was my first main draw tour win.
“It’s a lifelong goal – I think everyone wants to hit that milestone (breaking top 100). I didn’t think that I’d hit it the way I did in the space of just a few months.
“Going into Wimbledon was much different, coming through qualifying, but I think it was the best thing. Going into the first round after qualifying was a quick turnaround, only a few days, but I already had three great matches under my belt.
“I saw the draw and knew it would be tough and in the back of my head I did have that I lost in the first round the last two years – but this year felt different. I was so much calmer; I had spent more time on the bigger stage, and you start to get more familiar with the area. I was playing well; I was on a roll, and I felt comfortable.
“After the second round I saw who I was playing and I know it was going to either be Centre Court or No.1 Court, which was super exciting – it’s not every day you get to do that. Walking out onto the court I just wanted to take everything in and enjoy it.
“My next-door neighbour had no idea I played tennis before but when I came back, he was absolutely chuffed. During Wimbledon I turned my phone off so I had no idea what was going on but when I got home, I was definitely recognised a lot more.”
Kartal’s rise this season is the product of a lot of hard work on and off the court throughout her life.
In the career of a professional athlete, it’s very rare that you make big changes in preparations to improve your results, it’s more about fine-tuning the small margins to gain that extra edge.
In our chat, Kartal acknowledged some of the factors that she believes have had the biggest contributing factors in her success – working on the mental game, self-belief and playing high level matches, including as part of the LTA Performance Competitions Calendar.
Winning those tournaments gives you a lot of confidence and going into those bigger matches this year, I felt I had that.
“The biggest thing for me is trusting in my game – that’s one of the main reasons why I’ve ended up where I am this year,” she said. “Playing with more risk, trusting in my game, trusting in my team and I think if I can continue to do that, I can push even higher than I am today.
“I’ve started working more with a sports psychologist this year. It wasn’t something I always thought I needed but if it makes 1% difference then I think it’s worth it. We’ve got on really well and it’s definitely helped me in the big occasions.
“The other part is just playing more matches at a high level. For a long time, I’ve been playing lower ITF events but this year I’ve tried to throw myself more in the deep end. The more I got used to that and handling those situations the more I’ve seen improvement.
“If you look at my career, I’ve always worked my way up through the levels – I’ve never just jumped up. I think they have been super good for me (the Performance Competitions Calendar events in the UK). Winning those tournaments gives you a lot of confidence and going into those bigger matches this year, I felt I had that.”
All the success in 2024 has meant that Kartal’s upcoming season will have a very different look and feel to it, with the ranking to play more on the WTA Tour circuit and importantly, get main draw entry into Grand Slams – including the Australian Open in January.
“I’m buzzing (for Australian Open),” she exclaimed. “After Tunisia I knew it was on the cards if I performed well for a few tournaments and I wanted to push for that.
“I’m excited for the new calendar, new places to visit, new tournaments to play. Playing top tournaments that I’ve always wanted to play – Indian Wells in particular is one I’ve always wanted to play.
“It’s like a fresh start and I have no idea what to expect.”