PARIS — British tennis player Sonay Kartal has made an unexpected scheduling adjustment ahead of her French Open debut, postponing a long-awaited tattoo appointment in Paris to prioritize her first-round doubles match at Roland Garros.
The 22-year-old rising star, who earned her place in the main draw through qualifying, revealed the last-minute change in an interview with BBC Sport. Kartal had booked the session with a renowned Parisian tattoo artist months in advance but found herself forced to reschedule when the tournament's doubles draw placed her match on the same day.
A Clash of Commitments
Kartal, currently ranked No. 298 in singles and making her Grand Slam doubles debut with partner Yuriko Miyazaki, explained the dilemma: "I've had this tattoo design planned for over a year, and the artist's waitlist is insane. But when you get the chance to play at Roland Garros, some things just have to wait."
The Brighton native didn't disclose details about the planned tattoo but confirmed it would commemorate her breakthrough 2023 season, when she:
- Reached her first WTA quarterfinal at the Nottingham Open
- Climbed nearly 200 ranking spots
- Earned her maiden Grand Slam qualifying victory at Wimbledon
Doubles Debut Takes Priority
Kartal and Miyazaki face a challenging first-round match against 14th seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok (Ukraine) and Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia). The British duo received a wildcard entry after strong performances in ITF events this spring.
"It's not every day you get to play on the clay courts of Paris," Kartal told reporters during her pre-tournament press conference. "The tattoo can wait a few more weeks, but this opportunity with Yuriko — we've been working toward this all season. The artist completely understood when I explained the situation."
A Growing Trend Among Athletes
Kartal's situation reflects a growing pattern among young tennis professionals balancing personal lives with demanding tournament schedules. Last year, American Ben Shelton famously delayed getting his first tattoo until after his breakout US Open semifinal run, while Iga Swiatek has spoken about scheduling her tattoo sessions during off-season breaks.
Sports psychologist Dr. Emma Richardson commented: "These small acts of sacrifice demonstrate an athlete's commitment. Postponing personal milestones for competition shows where their priorities lie in the moment, which often correlates with success at the highest levels."
Looking Ahead at Roland Garros
While Kartal fell in the singles qualifying rounds, her doubles participation marks continued progress. The former junior Wimbledon quarterfinalist has shown particular aptitude in doubles, winning three ITF titles in 2022-23 with various partners.
Her coach, former British No. 1 Elena Baltacha (until her passing in 2014), had emphasized the importance of doubles early in Kartal's development. "Elena always said doubles sharpens your net game and tactical awareness," Kartal shared. "Playing here with Yuriko feels like honoring that advice."
As for the rescheduled tattoo? Kartal confirmed she'll keep the Paris appointment — just two weeks later than planned. "Maybe it'll have an extra line now to include 'Roland Garros 2024,'" she joked. "Every delay has its silver lining."