Sonay Kartal faces unexpected housing struggle at Indian Wells
After a last-minute entry into the main draw, British tennis player Sonay Kartal found herself without a place to stay, turning a housing dilemma into a remarkable tournament run.
Sonay Kartal experienced an unusual challenge at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after initially checking out of her accommodations, believing her tournament was over. Having lost in the final round of qualifying, Kartal had no expectations of competing further. However, when Sloane Stephens withdrew, Kartal was awarded a lucky loser spot in the main draw, leaving her temporarily without a place to stay. She described the situation as a “good problem to have,” embracing the unexpected turn of events. Despite the logistical setback, Kartal made the most of her opportunity, securing wins over Varvara Lepchenko, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Polina Kudermetova to reach the last 16, where she is set to face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
British tennis player Sonay Kartal has experienced a significant rise in her career over the past year. In September 2024, she clinched her first WTA title at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia, defeating Rebecca Šramková in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. This victory propelled her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings for the first time, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 96 on September 16, 2024.
Prior to this milestone, Kartal had been steadily climbing the ranks. She reached the third round of Wimbledon in July 2024, marking her best Grand Slam performance to date. Additionally, she secured two ITF titles earlier in the year, contributing to her rapid ascent from a ranking of No. 298 in June 2024.
In January 2025, Kartal made her main-draw debut at the Australian Open but faced a first-round exit against Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro. Despite this setback, she continues to compete on the WTA Tour, aiming to build on her previous successes and improve her ranking further.
As of February 17, 2025, Sonay Kartal has achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 80. After this tournament, she will likely rise quite a few spots, especially if she beats Sabalenka in the Round of 16.
Inside the Baseline…
Stability off the court fuels success on it, and any player forced to navigate uncertainty in their daily life is already playing from behind. Kartal’s rise has been impressive, but no athlete should have to juggle housing concerns while competing at the highest level. Tennis demands everything physically, mentally, emotionally, and without a secure foundation, even the strongest competitors can struggle to sustain momentum.
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