Sonay Kartal has been hailed as “an inspiration” after overcoming a health scare to become the first British ladies’ qualifier to reach the Wimbledon third round this century.
The 22-year-old has been battling undisclosed health problems this year and in April, Kartal shared images of herself lying in a hospital bed posing for the camera with a thumbs up, saying, “Long story short I’m on the mend”.
Following her first round of success at Wimbledon, she said: “I had a scary few months at the start of the year. I said I won’t disclose what it was, but it was health-related. I didn’t think I would be back potentially at all this year.”
However, world No 298 Kartal beat 45th-ranked Clara Burel on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the first British ladies’ qualifier to reach the third round since 1997.
She will now take home at least £143,000, and next faces a clash with number two seed Coco Gauff.
Amir Goshtai, a fellow member of Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club in Brighton where Kartal began playing at the age of six and still trains, said she is “an absolute inspiration”.
“Everyone here is incredibly proud of her,” he told the Standard.
“She’s an absolute inspiration for everyone at the club, and everyone in the town. She has lots of loving support here and she’s an incredible role model.”
Kartal beat No 29 seed Sorana Cirstea in the first round on Monday before continuing her dream run by beating French player Burel 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 yesterday. Her bodybuilder boyfriend Luke Ogbourn was seen greeting her with a huge hug and flowers after her career-best win.
He posted a clip of the moment on Instagram, writing: “I don’t think I could be any more proud of you. I love you champ.”
Other friends said they were “so proud” of her and described “screaming and crying” at the TV during the tense match.
“Today is a really special day for me,” Sidcup-born Kartal — who goes by the nickname Karts — said after the game. “Monday was a high but I’ve topped that.
“I didn’t know what I’d be doing this year and to come back and get my biggest win so far — I’m super proud.”
She was the first Brit to make it to round three at SW19 this year, joined later yesterday by Emma Raducanu following a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Belgian Elise Mertens.
It came ahead of a double Battle of the Brits at the tournament today.
Men’s No 1 Jack Draper was set to go head-to-head with No 2 Cameron Norrie, while women’s No 1 Katie Boulter and No 2 Harriet Dart were also set to fight for a third round spot.
Brit Lily Miyazaki was due to play her second-round match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, while British wildcard Jacob Fearnley had the task of playing seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, 37, who was forced to withdraw from this year’s singles tournament following a back operation, was also due to play doubles with brother Jamie on Centre Court today.
He will also team up with Raducanu in a superstar mixed doubles partnership — dubbed Maducanu — as part of his Wimbledon farewell.
