BEIJING — Emerging from a challenging period of injury and self-doubt, British tennis player Sonay Kartal has captured the attention of the tennis world not just with her powerful groundstrokes, but with a remarkable display of mental fortitude during her run at the 2024 China Open. After a season marred by a serious wrist injury that cast her into what she described as a "dark place," Kartal's response to adversity on the biggest stage has shown her true colours as a resilient and mature competitor.
A Breakthrough Tempered by Setback
Just months ago, Sonay Kartal was living a dream at Wimbledon. The 22-year-old from Brighton, ranked outside the world's top 200 at the time, battled through three rounds of qualifying and then won her first-ever main-draw match at the All England Club, a stunning three-set victory over Romania's Sorana Cîrstea. This breakthrough performance, however, was soon overshadowed by a persistent wrist injury that had been bothering her for over a year. The pain became unbearable, forcing her to make the difficult decision to undergo surgery, a procedure that sidelined her during a crucial phase of her development and threatened to derail her burgeoning career.
Reflecting on that difficult period, Kartal was candid about the psychological toll. "I was in a really dark place," she admitted in a press conference in Beijing. "You work your whole life for a moment like Wimbledon, and then immediately you're faced with the reality that you can't play, you can't even hold a racquet. It makes you question everything." This period of forced inactivity and rehabilitation tested her love for the game and her belief in her own future.
The China Open: A Stage for Resilience
Fast forward to the hard courts of Beijing, and Kartal, playing with a protected ranking, was handed a daunting first-round assignment against world number 36, Mayar Sherif. Few gave the Briton a chance against the experienced Egyptian. Yet, displaying the same grit that defined her Wimbledon run, Kartal secured a monumental 6-2, 7-6(5) victory. It was a statement win that announced her return to the tour, but the true test of her character was yet to come.
In the second round, she faced an even greater challenge: former world number one and two-time Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka. For a set and a half, Kartal was not just competing; she was dominating. She raced to a 6-1, 3-0 lead, her powerful, flat groundstrokes pushing the seasoned veteran around the court. Then, the momentum shifted. Azarenka, a fighter to her core, began to claw her way back, exploiting small openings and upping her aggression. Azarenka took the second set 6-3 and built a commanding 5-1 lead in the decider.
At this juncture, many young players would have folded, accepting the inevitable defeat. Kartal, however, did the opposite. She dug deep, breaking Azarenka twice as the Belarusian served for the match, saving multiple match points in a breathtaking display of courage to level the third set at 5-5. Though she ultimately lost the final set 7-5, the manner of her defeat was more telling than any routine victory could have been.
The Response That Defined a Mentality
It was in the aftermath of this emotionally draining and physically demanding match that Kartal's true character shone through. Instead of dwelling on the missed opportunity or the heartbreaking loss, her immediate response was one of perspective and positivity. Speaking to the press, her focus was not on the 5-1 lead that slipped away, but on the incredible fight she showed to get back into the contest.
"I'm just really proud of the way I fought," she stated, a sentiment she repeated for emphasis. "A few months ago, I was in a cast, unsure of when I'd be back. To be here, competing against a champion like Vika on a court like this, and pushing her all the way... that's a win for me in itself. I proved to myself that I belong at this level."
This outlook highlights a key component of her impressive mentality:
- Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: Kartal consistently emphasized the quality of her performance and her fight, rather than fixating solely on the final scoreline.
- Gratitude and Perspective: She actively contextualized the loss within her broader journey, remembering the "dark place" of injury and appreciating the simple fact of being able to compete again.
- Resilience as a Skill: Her ability to save match points against a Grand Slam champion under immense pressure is a testament to a mental toughness that is often as important as technical skill.
Building a Foundation for the Future
Kartal's run in Beijing, which included a qualifying victory over higher-ranked compatriot Heather Watson, is more than just a collection of matches. It represents a significant step in her professional and personal development. The points earned have propelled her to the cusp of the world's top 150, edging her closer to direct entry into Grand Slam main draws. More importantly, the experience has fortified her self-belief.
Her coach, former British player Naomi Cavaday, has been instrumental in fostering this mindset. The focus during her recovery and return has been on building a robust and resilient athlete, both physically and mentally. Kartal's performance against Azarenka was a clear validation of that work. "We've worked a lot on staying present," Kartal explained. "When she came back, I could have gotten down on myself. But I just reset and tried to win the next point. That's all you can do."
This philosophy is a hallmark of the sport's most successful players. The ability to treat each point as an independent event, to not be weighed down by past errors or the fear of future outcomes, is a rare and valuable skill. For a young player like Kartal to demonstrate it so clearly under such intense pressure suggests a maturity beyond her years and ranking.
Conclusion: More Than a Tennis Player
Sonay Kartal's journey at the China Open was a powerful narrative of redemption and resilience. While the victory over Sherif and the near-upset of Azarenka were impressive athletic achievements, it was her response in the press room afterwards that truly revealed her character. In a sport where mental fragility can often be the difference between victory and defeat, Kartal has shown she possesses a formidable psychological strength.
Her ability to emerge from a "dark place" of injury and self-doubt, to compete fearlessly against the world's best, and to then frame a heartbreaking loss as a foundational building block, marks her as a competitor with a profound understanding of the long game. As she continues her ascent, this impressive mentality, this ability to show her true colours of grit and grace under pressure, may well prove to be her greatest asset. The tennis world has taken note: Sonay Kartal is not just a player with a powerful game, but one with an even more powerful mind.