Sonay Kartal relaxed in the spotlight as she prepares for Wimbledon's last 16
Should she beat Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court on Sunday, the 23-year-old will become the first British woman to reach the last eight since Johanna Konta in 2019.
Kartal was back on court on Saturday, playing doubles with her close friend and fellow Briton Jodie Burrage.
'She's definitely got more cameras on her now. I have noticed that,' said Burrage. 'That's expected, you know.
'It was nice to play a doubles match with that atmosphere. It was packed on that court. Unfortunately we couldn't get them going a little bit more because we lost.
'But it was fun. She is taking it like a champion. She loves the limelight.'
Kartal rolls her eyes, not for the first time, as her pal gently teases her.
But the Brighton pro's run in SW19 has captured the public's imagination, as she found out on Friday evening after her third-round win over Diane Parry.
'I went to the shops and it was a bit tricky,' she said. 'That's something I will have to get used to for the next few weeks.
Sonay Kartal you are sensational 👊#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3PjDp2L4mz
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 4, 2025
'Listen, people think I don't like it as my whole life I have gone under the radar a bit, but I don't have an issue with being in the spotlight or not.
'If the spotlight is on you it means you are doing good things. I am taking it as a compliment.'
It is not just Kartal's tennis that is the hot topic in south-west London, but also her tattoos.
She got her 14th after winning her first match at the French Open last month and is now taking suggestions for ink number 15.
'I've had a few – Jodie's idea of having Centre Court was terrible,' she laughed.
'I won't get that. Someone said I should get the vintage polo top that I've been wearing, I don't know if it is possible. Maybe a fire and ice tattoo. I like that – but it would remind me of Jodie!'
Kartal found out she will be making her debut on Centre Court on Sunday just before she played her doubles match, and she has no intention of it being her last time this fortnight.
'It's a huge honour to play on that court. A court that you dream of,' she said.
'The way I am looking at it is that it's a slightly bigger Court One. Warming up on Court One a couple of days ago will help me. I will feel much better walking out on Centre.
'I know I am far from finished yet. I have done one week – got another week to go to the finish line.
'There have been some crazy results. I have been given a good spot in the draw, things have opened up. I am excited and will enjoy every second.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
30 minutes ago
- Metro
Andy Murray slams 'ridiculous' Wimbledon decision during Jannik Sinner match
Andy Murray has slammed the 'ridiculous' decision to close the Centre Court roof during Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon win over Grigor Dimitrov. Sinner, 23, progressed to the quarter-finals on Monday after Dimitrov was dramatically forced to retire from the match with a pectoral muscle injury. Dimitrov had won the first two sets against Sinner – and was leading 6-3 7-5 2-2 – but it counted for nothing after he was unable to continue playing. British tennis legend Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, was watching the clash from home and couldn't understand why the roof had been closed after the conclusion of the second set. 'So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match,' Murray posted at 8.30pm BST when it was still light outside in south west London. 'At least an hour of light left….well over a set of tennis can still be played… it's an outdoor tournament!' Speaking on commentary duties for the BBC when the roof was closed, former British No.1 Tim Henman defended the decision, insisting that it was 'ideal conditions' for the two players. 'I always felt the players sweat more, and there is a little bit less air flow,' Henman said. 'It is absolutely ideal conditions, there is little wind with the roof open and none now.' Another former British No.1, Greg Rusedski, argued that closing the roof handed Italian world No.1 Sinner a boost. 'If I was Grigor Dimitrov, I would say to keep playing [with the roof open],' Rusedski said on BBC Radio 5 Live. 'These conditions are working brilliantly for him. 'When you close the roof, you do have perfect conditions and light but that is going to help Jannik Sinner because it is going to slow down the pace of play and his toss will be in the right place on top of that. More Trending 'So if I was Dimitrov, I would've said keep the roof open and let's try to play one more set even with the bad light. This actually favours Sinner.' Sinner, meanwhile, speaking on the court after his walkover win over 34-year-old 19th-seed Dimitrov, said: '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.' MORE: Carlos Alcaraz makes huge Cameron Norrie admission ahead of Wimbledon quarter-final MORE: Wimbledon star leaves BBC presenter Annabel Croft red-faced in interview MORE: Marin Cilic hits out at Wimbledon over two decisions after 'bitter' exit
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Chelsea's Joao Pedro ready to start in Club World Cup semi after Rio beach break
The Brazil striker completed his £60million move to the Blues from Brighton last week and was immediately named on the bench for Friday's Club World Cup quarter-final win over Palmeiras in Philadelphia. Now with fellow forward Liam Delap suspended for Tuesday's semi-final against another Brazilian side, Fluminense, in New York, the 23-year-old is poised to make his first start. It has been a whirlwind week for Joao Pedro, who had been on holiday when the call from Chelsea came, but he says he is primed for action. 'I was on holiday,' he said. 'I was in Brazil – yes, beach, Brazilian food, spending time with friends. 'But I was always training – I have a personal trainer – so I was ready. Imagine if I didn't train and Chelsea called me to come, then it would be more difficult for me. 'If I'm going to start or not, it's not my decision, but I will try to improve, be ready for (head coach) Enzo (Maresca) and if he needs me we will see.' Joao Pedro, who appeared as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over Palmeiras, began his professional career with Fluminense. He said: 'Of course I spent a lot of time and years there. I grew up there and it will be an unbelievable experience, but now I play for Chelsea so I need to focus on my team and who plays better will win the game.' Joao Pedro's Brighton career ended under a cloud. He received a three-game ban after being sent off at Brentford in April and was then dropped for their last two matches following a reported training group bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke. Asked about the latter incident, he said: 'I think the people who know me, know my character, but when two players want to win, these things happen and this is normal. 'I now play for Chelsea so I just want to talk about Chelsea. It was just two players in the moment, we both wanted to win.' It is not yet clear which position Joao Pedro will play at Chelsea, with Delap and Nicolas Jackson also competing for the centre-forward's spot. 'Delap has a style, Jackson another and I have my way, but I think that's good for Chelsea,' he added. 'I think who brings more good things to the team is going to play. Everyone will have to work hard and then Enzo will decide.' Asked about this selection dilemma at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: 'I've said many times, I prefer to have five players scoring 10, 12 goals each than just once striker scoring 40 goals. 'But I think Joao can play in all the attacking positions for us. He can play wide, he can be inside or he can play as a nine.'
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Mirra Andreeva oblivious to the fact she'd won after swatting aside Emma Navarro
Mirra Andreeva's stunning Centre Court debut ended in bizarre fashion when she forgot the score and did not realise she had won the match. The Russian teenager became the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 18 years by breezing through round four with a rapid 6-2 6-3 win over world number 10 Emma Navarro. But an unaware Andreeva was so focused on her performance – and trying not to look at Roger Federer in the Royal Box – she lined up to face another Navarro serve, rather than celebrate converting match point. Marvellous Mirra 🤩 The 18-year-old shines on her Centre Court debut, booking a place in the #Wimbledon QF — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025 With her American opponent waiting at the net to shake hands, the 18-year-old briefly looked bemused before jogging in from the baseline, to the amusement of spectators. Andreeva laughed off the incident in her on-court interview, saying: 'I kept telling myself I'm not the one who is up on the score, I am the one who is down. 'That helped me to stay focused and in the end I completely forgot the score. 'I'm happy that I did it because I think I would have been three times more nervous on a match point.' Aside from the humorous mix-up, Andreeva suffered no hiccups as she emphatically stayed on course to emulate coach Conchita Martinez – the 1994 Wimbledon champion. She blitzed Navarro to clinch the opening set in just 33 minutes and, despite being broken twice in the second, was not unduly troubled. Aged 18 years and 75 days, Andreeva is exactly the same age as Czech player Nicole Vaidisova was when she progressed to the last eight in 2007. 'It is something crazy,' she said, after setting up a meeting with Belinda Bencic with victory in 75 minutes. 'I was super nervous before playing for the first time on Centre Court. 'I really tried my best not to look over there in the box because I knew as soon as I would look there I would completely lose my focus. "It's been one of my dreams to see you in real life." 🫶 Mirra Andreeva kept her nerve playing on Centre Court in front of Roger Federer #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025 'I saw Roger and (his wife) Mirka and it means a lot that you came and watched my match. It has been one of my dreams to see you in real life.' Earlier, Bencic blew five match points on her own serve before bouncing back to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. The 2021 Olympic champion also saved three break points in a captivating ninth game of the second set against Ekaterina Alexandrova. Russian 18th seed Alexandrova eventually broke to prolong the Court One contest but Bencic responded immediately to progress 7-6 (4) 6-4. 'For you guys it was entertaining but for me it was a big stress,' Bencic said on court. 'It was a difficult moment. 'I always got stuck in the fourth round. It was so important for me to breakthrough to the quarter-finals. It's a dream come true.' Bencic's best run in SW19 comes after she missed last year's Championships due to the birth of daughter Bella in April 2024. 'We did an amazing job coming back,' said the 28-year-old Swiss player. 'It's amazing to share the memories together as a family. I'm enjoying it more. I juggle it like every mum does.' Five-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek cruised through to her second Wimbledon quarter-final. Super Swiatek 🇵🇱 The No.8 seed sails through to the QF, beating Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1 #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025 The Polish world number four began with successive double faults before defeating Danish 23rd seed Clara Tauson 6-4 6-1. 'Even though the beginning was pretty shaky with the double faults, I managed to play well and solid,' she said. 'I'm not sure if Clara felt well, she said at night she was sick so hopefully she's going to have a fast recovery. 'It's the first time I enjoyed London – sorry guys, I always loved it! We're tennis players. We feel well off the court when we feel well on the court. 'This year I feel I can just play my game and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible.'
