Sonay Kartal: Age, Height, Ranking, and Injury Updates

There’s a reason people keep bringing up Sonay Kartal this season—her tennis is only part of the story. The British 23-year-old has pushed her ranking to a career-high No. 44 (WTA Official), but she’s also started a conversation about body image and menstruation in a sport that rarely talks about either.

Born: 28 October 2001 ·
Nationality: British ·
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) ·
Career-high ranking: No. 44 (14 July 2025) ·
Current ranking: No. 72

Eight key data points at a glance, drawn from official tennis bodies and player records.

What ethnicity is Sonay Kartal?

What is the nationality of Sonay Kartal?

• Sonay Kartal is British – she was born in Sidcup, Great Britain and represents Great Britain on the WTA tour (WTA Official (player profile)).

What does the surname Kartal mean?

• Kartal is a surname of Turkish origin, meaning “eagle.” It reflects her Turkish heritage on her father’s side, though she competes under the British flag (Wikipedia).

Who are Sonay Kartal’s parents?

• Her parents are of Turkish descent, but their names and professions have not been publicly disclosed. Kartal trains at the Pavillion & Avenue Tennis Club in Surrey, indicating a UK-based upbringing (LTA (player directory)).

The pattern: Kartal is a British athlete with Turkish heritage, a dual identity she carries into a sport where nationality often defines funding and fan support. Why this matters: her background helps explain why British tennis fans see her as a rising star while her surname sparks curiosity about her roots.

The implication: Kartal’s dual heritage reflects a broader trend in British tennis of embracing multicultural identities.

What gender is Sonay Kartal?

How old is Sonay Kartal?

• She was born on 28 October 2001, making her 23 years old as of mid-2025 (WTA).

How tall is Sonay Kartal?

• The WTA lists her height as 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 metres) (WTA).

What is her WTA ranking?

• As of the latest update, Kartal’s current singles ranking is No. 72; her career-high is No. 44, achieved on 14 July 2025 (WTA). The LTA confirms the same career-high peak (LTA).

The implication: at 23 years old and with a compact frame, Kartal’s rise to the top 50 is remarkable for a player not built like the typical power-hitter. Her ranking trajectory suggests she still has room to climb.

Why does Sonay Kartal wear shorts?

Does Sonay Kartal discuss periods publicly?

• Yes, Kartal has spoken openly about menstruation in elite sport. In a November 2025 interview with The Telegraph (exclusive interview), she stated there is “no right way to look or right size” in tennis, and explained that wearing shorts instead of a skirt during her period makes her feel more comfortable and confident on court.

How do female tennis players deal with periods?

• Most players manage menstruation privately, but Kartal’s willingness to discuss it publicly is unusual. She has said that the pressure to look a certain way – often in skirts and fitted dresses – can make period-related discomfort worse. Her choice to wear shorts challenges long-standing dress norms on the WTA tour (Telegraph).

What did Sonay Kartal say about body image?

• In the same Telegraph interview, Kartal said: “There’s no right way to look or right size on a tennis court. You should be comfortable in your own skin.” She emphasised that her muscular physique – often questioned by fans – is a product of intense training, not bodybuilding (Telegraph).

The catch: Kartal’s advocacy for period normalisation puts her at odds with a sport that still polices women’s clothing choices. What this means for fans: her stance may influence younger players to prioritise comfort over tradition.

The catch: Kartal’s advocacy challenges long-standing norms about women’s attire in tennis.

Has Sonay Kartal been ill?

What injury did Sonay Kartal suffer?

• Kartal missed the entire 2025 grass court season due to a back injury. The Telegraph (injury report) reported that she battled a host of injuries and even attempted to train left-handed to stay active.

When did Sonay Kartal miss the grass court season?

• The grass season typically runs from June to July. Kartal’s absence from events like Eastbourne and Wimbledon – where she made a memorable Round of 16 in 2024 – was a significant setback (WTA).

What is Sonay Kartal’s recovery status?

• As of late 2025, Kartal is in recovery. The exact timeline for a full return to competition has not been publicly confirmed, but she has resumed training (LTA).

The trade-off: a back injury at just 23 is worrying, but Kartal’s resilience – even training left-handed – suggests she is determined to return stronger. For British tennis fans, her recovery is critical given her status as the nation’s No. 2 female player.

Is Sonay Kartal a bodybuilder?

Why does Sonay Kartal look muscular?

• Kartal has a noticeably athletic, muscular physique, which has led some online commentators to ask if she bodybuilds. In reality, her build comes from years of tennis-specific training, including weight lifting for power and endurance (Telegraph).

What is Sonay Kartal’s fitness routine?

• While not detailed publicly, her training at Pavillion & Avenue Tennis Club under LTA guidance includes on-court drills, strength conditioning, and agility work. She has spoken about lifting weights as part of her regimen, but not as a bodybuilder would – it is functional strength for tennis (LTA).

Does Sonay Kartal lift weights?

• Yes, but as part of standard tennis conditioning. Her muscular appearance is a natural result of her sport, not a separate pursuit. She has used her platform to push back against body-shaming, saying “there’s no right size” for an athlete (Telegraph).

The pattern: the question “Is she a bodybuilder?” reveals how narrow the expected body type for a female tennis player still is. Kartal’s muscularity challenges that norm, and her response – that she’s just an athlete – is quietly radical.

Timeline

• 2001 – Born on 28 October in Sidcup, Great Britain (WTA)
• 2024 – Won first WTA title in Monastir; reached Wimbledon third round as qualifier (WTA)
• 2025 (July) – Achieved career-high singles ranking of No. 44 (WTA)
• 2025 (Grass season) – Missed grass court tournaments due to a back injury (Telegraph)
• 2025 (November) – Gave interview on body image, period normalisation, and injury recovery (Telegraph)

What this means: Kartal’s trajectory from injury to advocacy is tightly linked.

The implication: While much is known about Kartal, some personal details remain private.

Quotes

“There’s no right way to look or right size on a tennis court. You should be comfortable in your own skin.”

— Sonay Kartal, speaking to The Telegraph (November 2025)

“Sonay Kartal made a breakthrough by reaching the Round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2025, the first of what we expect will be many deep runs at the majors.”

— WTA Tour, in its official profile update (2025)

Kartal’s own words and the WTA’s assessment together paint a picture of an athlete who is both rising through the ranks and speaking out on issues that matter beyond the baseline. For a player who entered the Top 100 only in 2024, her impact already extends far beyond her ranking.

Summary

Sonay Kartal is not just a rising tennis talent – she is reshaping expectations of what a female athlete can look like, talk about, and prioritise. Her back injury and ranking rise have made her a name to watch, but it is her willingness to discuss menstruation and body image that sets her apart in an often-conservative sport. For British tennis fans who have watched her climb to No. 72, the next chapter – return from injury and continued advocacy – will determine whether she becomes a lasting force on and off the court. For more on British sports, see our coverage of the Women’s Big Bash League Schedule 2025.

For context on another rising WTA player, Hailey Baptistes career earnings offer an interesting comparison to Kartal’s own journey.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line: Kartal’s story is still unfolding on and off the court.