Why has Sonay Kartal got strapping on her knee during Wimbledon last 16 clash?
The 23-year-old star will overtake Emma Raducanu as British No1 if she can defeat Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the last 16 at the All England Club.
4
4
Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19
She is the fourth unseeded British woman to reach the fourth round this century after Laura Robson, Heather Watson and Raducanu.
Kartal has already put together her best run at a major, and she plans to celebrate after the tournament by getting her 15th tattoo.
But it's not just the ink that's catching the eyes of spectators this afternoon, as she has heavy strapping on her right knee.
Why has Sonay Kartal got strapping on her knee?
Sonay Kartal first wore tape on her right knee on Saturday during her doubles match with fellow Brit Jodie Burrage.
The pair went on to lose in straight sets to Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund, but after the match, Kartal explained the reasoning behind the tape: '(The tape) is just precaution. I am testing it out in the match today to see whether or not I like it. I'm all good. It took a lot for me to come out of doubles retirement."
4
4
But Kartal's knee has been strapped up much more for the last-16 clash than it was yesterday during the doubles defeat.
The British hopeful later went on to discuss the honour of playing on Centre Court for the first time, with her last-16 clash against Pavlyuchenkova picked to open the iconic stage on Sunday at Wimbledon.
Kartal added: "I found out about Centre Court just before walking out on court (for the doubles). My agent told me. It's a huge honour to play on that court. A court that you dream of. As a kid, you want to play on it. I had no idea. It was one I was hoping to play on this week. The way I am looking at it is that it's a slightly bigger Court One.
"I think I have got over the court one (nerves), I will feel much better walking out on Centre. Still nerve-wracking, but Court One is already a super big court. It's similar to Centre. Warming up on Court One a couple of days ago will help me.
'I'm just tunnel vision, focusing on myself. I did watch the match yesterday (Friday). Emma played incredible tennis. Went toe-to-toe, at some points was even miles ahead.
"She should get so much confidence from her game, making the world No1 play the best tennis. I don't feel much pressure.
"I am playing with freedom. I feel like I have nothing to lose. I will go on court and enjoy the moment and hopefully get the win"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wimbledon: Dimitrov retires injured while leading Sinner by two sets
Update: Date: 21:31 BST Title: Thanks for joining us Content: It wouldn't be Wimbledon without drama - and boy have we had plenty today. Novak Djokovic came from behind to keep his quest to equal Roger Federer's Wimbledon title haul alive. And Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva kept her remarkable run going by reaching the quarter-finals. But the enduring memory will, sadly, be that of a tearful Grigor Dimitrov who appeared set for a sensational upset of world number one Jannik Sinner until injury intervened. We'll be right back here on Tuesday morning to capture day nine of these captivating Championships. See you then. Update: Date: 21:31 BST Title: 'Recurring pattern' for Dimitrov Content: Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Wimbledon Poor Grigor Dimitrov. Unfortunately, retiring injured is a regular pattern for the 34-year-old Bulgarian. Dimitrov has been forced to quit 12 times since the start of the 2021 season, more than any other player on the ATP Tour. Remarkably, he has now seen each of his past five Grand Slam appearances ended by injury. Update: Date: 21:28 BST Title: What to look out for tomorrow Content: We're really getting towards the serious end of the Championships now. Tuesday marks the start of the quarter-final stage in the singles. Here's a look at what's to come tomorrow. Centre Court Aryna Sabalenka v Laura Siegemund (13:30 BST) Cameron Norrie v Carlos Alcaraz Court One Taylor Fritz v Karen Khachanov (13:00 BST) Amanda Anisimova v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Update: Date: 21:26 BST Title: Today's recap Content: What an incredible end to the second Monday at Wimbledon it's been. If you missed it, where were you? No worries, we've got you covered. Here's a rundown of what happened on day eight of the Championships. This video can not be played Djokovic and Shelton top best shots from day eight at Wimbledon Update: Date: 21:23 BST Title: 'Dimitrov has so many ways to win points' Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Tracy AustinTwo-time Grand Slam champion on BBC One Grigor Dimitrov was really serving well. In the past, he has had service yips where he hasn't been able to get the right smooth motion. However, he has been serving well and moving well. It is also his ability to hit so well on the move, he has a great feel at the net, he has an ability to anticipate shots. There aren't that many players anymore that are so comfortable at playing in the forecourt. There are also not that many players that have his wonderful backhand slice, which is a weapon. He has so many ways to win points and it all seemed like it was coming together. Update: Date: 21:20 BST Title: 'A man who has put his heart and soul into this sport' Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Tracy AustinTwo-time Grand Slam champion on BBC One How well Grigor Dimitrov was playing is the hard part. You know that his game matches up so well on this surface. He has that ability to hit a heavy slice that stays down so low. The fact that it was one serve that did it for him is the hard part. This is a man who has put his heart and soul into this sport. He works so hard and he is so fit. He crosses all the t's and dots all the i's. It all happened on one shot. He must be so desperately disappointed because somewhere in his thoughts will have been that he was two sets up and Jannik Sinner isn't playing his best tennis. Update: Date: 21:16 BST Title: 'I don't take this as a win at all' - Sinner Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. More from Jannik Sinner on BBC One after his walkover win against the injured Grigor Dimitrov: "I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness. "He has struggled in Grand Slams with injuries a lot so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. We all saw by his reaction how much he cares about the sport and he is one of the hardest working players on tour. "Thank you for coming, but this is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad. We all wish him only the best - let's give an applause for him and his team." Update: Date: 21:13 BST Title: 'He has been so unlucky' - Sinner on Dimitrov Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Jannik Sinner spoke courtside after Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire in their fourth round match: "I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player and we all saw this today. "He has been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He is an incredible player who is a good friend of mine. We understand each other very well off the court. "Seeing him in this position - if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. I hope he has a speedy recovery." Update: Date: 21:11 BST Title: What the stats showed Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. A look at the stats shows just why Grigor Dimitrov has such reason to be absolutely devastated by that freak injury he suffered. Not only had he matched the world number one - he outplayed him in many parts of the match. Unfortunately the Bulgarian's huge serve - powering down 14 aces - proved to be his ultimate undoing, with what appears, to our untrained eye, to be an injury to his pectoral muscle. Update: Date: 21:07 BST Title: 'In the blink of an eye his body failed him' Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Tim HenmanFormer British number one on BBC One Grigor Dimitrov played a brilliant two sets to be up against the world number one, but then in the blink of an eye his body failed him. He had no opportunity to continue. It will be a strange emotion for Jannik Sinner, who will go through to the quarter-finals. Update: Date: 21:06 BST Title: 'Sport can be beautiful but also horribly cruel' Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Andrew CotterCommentator on BBC One Sport can be beautiful but it can also be horribly cruel at times. Centre Court rise to Grigor Dimitrov as if he won the championship because they feel such sympathy. Jannik Sinner is spared only really by the cruel fate of sport. An extraordinary end to this match. Update: Date: 21:05 BST Title: Post Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. After escorting his devastated opponent to the dressing rooms, Jannik Sinner is back on Centre for his post-match on-court interview. As he did at the time of the injury, the world number one seems almost as disconsolate as Grigor Dimitrov. Not the way any sportsperson wants to win. Update: Date: 21:02 BST Title: 'Dimitrov has been through so much' Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. Jonathan OverendBBC Radio 5 Live commentator Grigor Dimitrov has been through so much over the last few years. He has had to retire from the last four Grand Slams, including Wimbledon last year where he retired at this same stage against Daniil Medvedev. This is one of the most shocking scenes I've seen in a sporting arena in recent times, just because of how sudden it was. Update: Date: 21:00 BST Title: Sinner wins by forfeit Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov ret. A tearful Grigor Dimitrov cannot continue. The Bulgarian receives a standing ovation from Centre Court as he and Jannik Sinner depart side by side. That will be of little consolation to the 34-year-old, who had the world number one exactly where he wanted him, only for fate to intervene. Update: Date: 20:58 BST Title: 'Not way we want match to end' Content: *Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov Greg RusedskiFormer British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds Dimitrov is playing the tennis of his life. We didn't see this coming whatsoever. This is not the way we want this match to end. He is holding his pectoral muscle which is a chest muscle, so let's hope he can find a solution because we don't want to see this happen right now. Update: Date: 20:57 BST Title: Medical time-out called Content: *Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov Grigor Dimitrov is rubbing his eyes, maybe to try to hold back tears of pain or sadness. Jannik Sinner is over, kneeling at the changeover point, and conversing with his opponent. We're going to have a medical time-out in the hope the trainers can somehow work muscle magic. Update: Date: 20:55 BST Title: Post Content: *Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov The Bulgarian looks in real pain. It's really difficult to see how he can continue, judging by his body language. Two sets up against the world number one, what horrible luck. Dimitrov has been forced to withdraw from the past four Grand Slams with various injuries, including here last year. Update: Date: 20:54 BST Title: Post Content: *Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov Jess AndersonBBC Sport at Wimbledon After all that, Grigor Dimitrov has hurt himself after serving that ace! He sits on the turf and looks to be in serious discomfort. Jannik Sinner rushes over. Update: Date: 20:53 BST Title: Post Content: *Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov Oh no! Grigor Dimitrov slumps to the turf holding his pectoral area after holding serve with an ace. Update: Date: 20:52 BST Title: Sinner's five-set struggles Content: Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-1 Dimitrov* Grigor Dimitrov might not know it but he's in an even more commanding position than he perhaps realises. At the worst, this match is going to five sets. Jannik Sinner has won just one of the past seven five-set matches he has contested, against Daniil Medvedev in the final at the 2024 Australian Open. Quite an amazing stat given he's world number one. He has also lost both five-set matches he has contested at Wimbledon – in the quarter-finals in both 2022, when he lost to Novak Djokovic despite holding a two-set lead, and last year to Medvedev.
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Cameron Norrie to face Carlos Alcaraz in his biggest match yet, as Wimbledon fever grips nation for last Brit standing
Norrie has faced the five-time Grand Slam winner six times in four years — winning two and losing four CAM-ING HOME! Cameron Norrie to face Carlos Alcaraz in his biggest match yet, as Wimbledon fever grips nation for last Brit standing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WIMBLEDON fever will sweep the nation today as last Brit standing Cameron Norrie plays his biggest match in years. Millions are set to watch the home hope, 29, battle double-defending champ Carlos Alcaraz in a quarter-final tie the Spaniard has branded a 'nightmare'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Champ Carlos Alcaraz branded his quarter-final tie against Cameron Norrie a 'nightmare' Credit: Getty Alcaraz, 22, is on an 18-match winning streak in South West London but admitted tricky left-hander Cam was the man he was trying to avoid. And he conceded that downing the Brit in front of 15,000 fans on Centre Court this afternoon would be difficult work. Among them could be close pal Emma Raducanu, who watched Alcaraz's four-set slugfest with Russian Andrey Rublev on Sunday night. Norrie has faced the five-time Grand Slam winner six times in four years — winning two and losing four. A shock win today would see him repeat his heroic foray to the semi-finals three years ago. Norrie recently said his giant lungs helped him in long matches. He said: 'I just randomly did a test. They were like, 'Oh, you must be some deep sea diver… they're huge'. "Since then I've had huge confidence in my cardio. I can back myself in those longer rallies. It's just kind of a false confidence, but I'll take it.' On winning the tournament, Norrie added: 'I'm going to play point-for-point as always.' Alcaraz said: 'Facing Cam is always really difficult, almost a nightmare. "He's going to use the crowd to his side. I have to be really strong mentally and focused.' Cam Norrie's fuming Wimbledon rival Nicolas Jarry squares up to him as Brit wins epic to set up potential Alcaraz clash
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cameron Norrie to face Carlos Alcaraz in his biggest match yet, as Wimbledon fever grips nation for last Brit standing
WIMBLEDON fever will sweep the nation today as last Brit standing Cameron Norrie plays his biggest match in years. Millions are set to watch the home hope, 29, battle double-defending champ Carlos Alcaraz in a quarter-final tie the Spaniard has branded a 'nightmare'. 2 Alcaraz, 22, is on an 18-match winning streak in South West London but admitted tricky left-hander Cam was the man he was trying to avoid. And he conceded that downing the Brit in front of 15,000 fans on Centre Court this afternoon would be difficult work. Among them could be close pal Emma Raducanu, who watched Alcaraz's four-set slugfest with Russian Andrey Rublev on Sunday night. Norrie has faced the five-time Grand Slam winner six times in four years — winning two and losing four. A shock win today would see him repeat his heroic foray to the semi-finals three years ago. Norrie recently said his giant lungs helped him in long matches. He said: 'I just randomly did a test. They were like, 'Oh, you must be some deep sea diver… they're huge'. "Since then I've had huge confidence in my cardio. I can back myself in those longer rallies. It's just kind of a false confidence, but I'll take it.' On winning the tournament, Norrie added: 'I'm going to play point-for-point as always.' Alcaraz said: 'Facing Cam is always really difficult, almost a nightmare. "He's going to use the crowd to his side. I have to be really strong mentally and focused.' Cam Norrie's fuming Wimbledon rival Nicolas Jarry squares up to him as Brit wins epic to set up potential Alcaraz clash 2
