British tennis star Sonay Kartal on her impressive form, a Billie Jean King Cup call-up & a potential new tattoo
• 4 MINUTE READ
Three years on from her first call-up to the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team for a qualifying tie against Czech Republic – British No.3 Sonay Kartal returns to the squad off the back of a breakout year on the WTA Tour.
After a run to the third round at Wimbledon, Kartal went on to finish 2024 with her first WTA title in Monastir and a Lexus Shrewsbury W100 trophy before this year, reaching the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells.
Now playing the best tennis of her life and at a career-high ranking at world No.61, Kartal is a different player to the one that joined the team in Prague back in 2022.
Before heading out to The Hague for GB’s Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers against Germany and Netherlands from 11-12 April, we sat down with Kartal to discuss her season so far, receiving the call-up to the squad and the possibility for a new tattoo after next week’s ties.
“I’m super proud (of her recent performances) – it’s happened very fast,” she said. “For so long I was doing things really well on the practice court and I was taking good care of things off the court, so it was trusting that it would come out on the match court.
“Each match I’m playing I feel like a different person. I’ve got more experience and a lot more belief in my game now.”
Kartal’s run at the BNP Paribas Indian Wells has been a standout story from the season so far and the young Brit continues to show that she has the skill to mix with and beat the best in the game.
The Brighton-native made the round of 16 at her first event at WTA 1000 level – a week that Kartal saw as a bit of a perfect storm.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “Coming out to the event a lot of people were telling me ‘you’re going to suit it out there’ and that I’d love the courts and conditions. I remember my first hit thinking they were so right.
“To get my first top 20 win pretty convincingly and just getting better and better each match. Even when I played Aryna (Sabalenka) I was ready for that match mentally and I’ve come on miles in that aspect as well. It’s looking more and more positive for me as each tournament goes on.
“I think it’s the trust I have in my game style (the biggest difference in her game). Playing these bigger matches, you can lose it by just one point, and I think I’m much better at taking those risks on the court. It’s the constant pressure and things I’m able to deal with.”
Next week in the Netherlands, Kartal will come in as the second highest ranked British singles player at the event and could well be called upon by Captain Anne Keothavong to help GB clinch a place in the Finals.
Kartal is yet to play a match for the Billie Jean King Cup team but is excited for what the upcoming event has in stall for her and the rest of the squad.
“I’m super excited to be back with the girls – I think it’s a really good team,” Kartal exclaimed. “I always say team events are my favourite – I thrive in that environment and I’m excited to get going.
“Anne called during Indian Wells and said she wanted me to be part of the team and it was an easy yes.
“I’m just looking forward to being at a team event – supporting everyone, the loud atmosphere and it’s just totally different to a normal tournament. I’m excited to join up with the girls, I think we’ve got a good bunch, we all get on really well. I think we’re all going to have a good time.
“I trust that Beech (Colin Beecher) is going to provide that (the fun and games), I know he’s good in that aspect. I did also buy a tabletop ping pong set as well, so I’m going to get that set up and get a bit of a competition going on, forfeits for the losers.”
Should Kartal feature against either Germany or Netherlands, she will become the latest player to achieve LTA Colour Holder status.
LTA Colour Holders acknowledges, recognises and celebrates players, past and present, who have represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup, as well as at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Like a ‘cap’ that a player receives playing for their country in either football or rugby, when a player has competed for Great Britain in tennis, they receive a Colour, with their own unique number.
“It’s a big dream, playing for your country,” she said “It’s not something I think people should take lightly. If it does happen, I’ll be super proud and hopefully I can get that dream debut.
“I remember seeing Emma (Raducanu) get her Colours in Prague and I think that’s a super special moment for any player. Fingers crossed I can get that.
“I would get that tattooed (her Colour Holder number) – I don’t know where but I definitely would!”
All the action from the Lexus GB team's matches will be available to watch on BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer and Tennis Channel. You can also watch all other matches from the Group F Qualifiers in The Hague, Netherlands live on Tennis Channel.
