Indian Wells, 10/03/2025.
Sonay Kartal is the fresh face of British tennis, but she is much more than that. She is a symbol of perseverance, of strength, of everything that makes sport an epic stage for challenges and comebacks. She is the girl no one expected, the one who filled newspaper pages with her victories while silently fighting a battle away from the spotlight. Wimbledon cemented her status, of course, but her story is not just measured in winning shots, hard-fought breaks, or dramatic turnarounds. It is measured in something deeper, more human, something that goes beyond mere competition.
In London and Brighton, where she grew up, tennis was always part of her life, but it was never just a game. It was an obsession, a dream nurtured through sacrifice, endless miles travelled, and long days spent between training sessions, defeats, and small victories. But it was in 2024 that her name began to resonate more powerfully. A year of growth, of change, of that moment of recognition that every athlete longs for. The Jasmin Open in Monastir was her first WTA title, her first taste of glory, opening the doors to the world’s top 100. But it was at Wimbledon that Sonay wrote the most intense chapter of her career. Coming through the qualifiers, she overcame every round with the hunger that only those who know what it means to stand still, watch others race ahead, and wonder if they will ever get another chance.
And her chance arrived. The first round against Clara Burel—won through sheer fight. The second, against Sorana Cîrstea—one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament, a comeback for the ages. 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. She left her opponent with no answers, dismantling her with the confidence of someone who knows she cannot stop. The crowd noticed it immediately: there was something about this girl that went beyond talent, beyond technique. Then came the showdown with the world number two, Coco Gauff. A seemingly impossible challenge, yet even there, Sonay proved she was no mere bystander. She played, she battled, she lost with honour. But if Wimbledon told the world one thing, it is that she has arrived. And she has no intention of leaving.
Behind that tournament, however, lies a story few people know. “At the start of the year, I had some terrifying months… it was health-related. I didn’t think I would be back on court this year.” She didn’t say more, she gave no further details, but those words carry immense weight. A forced pause, an uncertainty that made her believe her 2024 might end before it had even begun. For an athlete, stopping means everything—it means losing rhythm, losing confidence, losing the sense of belonging to the world where you live every day, where every training session matters, where every tournament is another piece of the puzzle that builds your career. She was forced to stop. She experienced doubt, fear, the anguish of not knowing whether she could return to being herself. And then she came back. With even more hunger, with even more desire to prove that tennis had not lost her, and that she had not lost tennis.
But there is more to her life than just tennis. She is a girl who sings ABBA songs at the top of her lungs, who loves going back to Turkey to reconnect with her roots, who has a warm smile and a personality that wins people over. And then there’s Luke Ogbourn, her partner, a British bodybuilder who never stops supporting her. After her first-round triumph at Wimbledon, he wrote on Instagram: “I don’t think I could be any more proud of you. Onto the 3rd round. I love you, champ.” Then came a video, their embrace, the emotion of those who know just how tough the journey has been. Now, the tennis world has its eyes firmly fixed on her. Her ranking is climbing, the future is full of possibilities. But Sonay has already won her biggest battle. She stared fear in the face and refused to let it stop her. She said she might not return to the court, and yet there she is—fighting, conquering, writing her story. And the best part? This story is only just beginning.
And nothing proves it better than her incredible run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells 2025. A tournament she wasn’t even supposed to play, her elimination in the qualifiers seemingly putting an end to her journey. But fate, as we know, has a soft spot for those who never give up. And so, as a lucky loser, Kartal turned her second chance into an explosion of talent and determination.
The first round was a test, an opportunity to show that her place in the main draw was no accident. Across the net stood the experienced American Varvara Lepchenko, a seasoned player capable of making life difficult for many opponents. Sonay struggled in the first set but never backed down. She saved set points, battled for every single moment, and in the tie-break, she made the difference. Then, in the second set, she took complete control. The 7-6(6), 6-2 final score was a statement—Indian Wells had an unexpected guest, but she was here to stay.
The second round, on paper, was almost impossible. On the other side of the court was Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 16th seed, a solid, powerful player, difficult to break down. But Sonay didn’t just win—she dismantled the Brazilian with a staggering 6-2, 6-1. A match with no contest, a showcase of fearless, intelligent, aggressive tennis. That was the moment when everyone started asking: How far can this girl go?
In the third round, another tough battle, this time against Polina Kudermetova. A much tighter match, played with relentless intensity, a mental contest where every point was fought tooth and nail. But once again, when it came to closing it out, Sonay was the stronger one. The 7-5, 6-3 scoreline sent her into the last 16, giving Britain a new tennis heroine.
Now, in front of her, stands the ultimate test. Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one. A proven champion, a mountain that seems impossible to climb. But Sonay has already shown she is not one to settle. She has faced adversity with bravery, overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable. And if this tournament has taught us anything, it is that Kartal does not step onto the court to make up the numbers. She is there to fight, to compete, to keep writing her story.
No matter what happens next, Indian Wells has already proven one thing: Sonay Kartal is no longer just a promising name—she’s a force to be reckoned with.
She has battled fear, defied expectations, and turned setbacks into stepping stones. She doesn’t just step onto the court to compete; she steps on to fight, to prove she belongs, to write a story that is hers alone.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Kartal doesn’t wait for doors to open—she kicks them down. The journey is far from over, but one thing is certain: this is just the beginning.
Further Reading: ABBA: The Official Photo Book
“Grit, reinvention, and the ability to turn setbacks into triumphs—these qualities define both great athletes and legendary artists. In ABBA: The Official Photo Book, the journey of one of the world’s most beloved musical groups unfolds through iconic images, capturing their rise, struggles, and enduring legacy.”
“Sonay Kartal embodies this same spirit. Just as ABBA’s music resonates with people across generations, Kartal’s story is one of perseverance and an unbreakable will to succeed. Whether fighting through qualifiers, battling back from adversity, or embracing the joy of the moment, she carries the same energy that makes an artist—or an athlete—truly unforgettable. In sport, as in music, comebacks are what make history.”
📚 For those inspired by stories of determination and reinvention, ABBA: The Official Photo Book is a must-read:
🔗 ABBA: The Official Photo Book on Goodreads explores how society frames certain figures as heroes while casting others as villains, often based on arbitrary expectations rather than objective reality.”
Or maybe music: “Mammamia Sonay, The Winner Takes it All!”
