Wimbledons smallest player Kartal set for her biggest stage

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How did Kartal make adjustments to secure third-round win?

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

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Sonay Kartal can walk tall as she takes to Wimbledons Centre Court for her first ever fourth round match at a Grand Slam.

But that will be only in a metaphorical sense. Because, at just 5ft 4in (163 cm), the 23-year-old is the shortest player in the main draw of the womens singles.

Kartal, who has put together her best run at a major, describes herself as a "proud short person".

While it has not held her back, she said it has had an impact on her game.

"Youve got to have different skills in your locker. Ive obviously not got the long limbs so I have got to make up for it with speed around the court," she told BBC Sport.

"Its something Ive worked on growing up. I knew I wasnt going to reach the court with my long strides so I just had to be super-fast. It was something I purposefully tried to improve."

Jodie Burrage, who played doubles with Kartal, joked it was not a surprise to learn the statistic about Kartals height "given how many lobs went over her head".

Kartal said she has taken confidence from the success of the diminutive Italian Jasmine Paolini, last years Wimbledon runner-up who is also 5ft 4ins but marginally taller than Kartal, according to the WTA.

"My fellow short tennis player Paolini, she has obviously proved that you dont need height on your side. She has obviously done incredible," Kartal said.

Anne Keothavong, Great Britains Billie Jean King Cup captain, said: "Yes, she is one of the shortest players on tour but what she lacks in height she makes up for with power and foot speed."

Kartal will make her Centre Court debut on Sunday afternoon when she faces Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

"Its a dream of any young tennis player so to be given the chance to go out there, Im super-proud," she said.

"It means a lot. Its going to be a great experience, a good opportunity for me."

Regardless of what happens, what she has already achieved has filled her with confidence for the future.

"I didnt expect it, Ill be honest. Grass is a surface that isnt my natural surface and in this Ive already played a few big hitters, which again I struggle with," she added.

"So this week is proving to myself that my level is there and I can do it on a surface that isnt too natural to me. So win or lose, its been a positive week."

A good all-rounder at sports, once Kartal decided to put her sole focus on tennis she was determined she would make it as a professional.

For the majority of her time as a teenager she was self-funded and travelled to tournaments without a coach.

She also had difficult periods of injury which led to her not picking up a racquet for two years.

Now she is ranked 51st in the world after a rapid rise.

BBC Sport pundit Tim Henman said: "We know her journey. She has gone through every stage working and improving in the small tournaments, sometimes travelling on her own.

"This time last year [she was] ranked 250-300 in the world and [is] now looking so comfortable. It goes to show, when you invest in that hard work, what is achievable.

"She is reaping the rewards because she is so invested."

Kartal, from Brighton, has the same coaching team around her from when she was younger.

Keothavong added: "Theres a huge amount of trust with the people she works with.

"Shell run all day, put lots of balls back in court and play with a brilliant attitude and big heart.

"She moves incredibly well and foot speed is right up there with some of the best.

"Shes enjoying every moment."

Keothavong added that Kartal was a "fantastic person" who she "wanted the British public to get to know better".

She has certainly charmed the fans with her positive attitude and style.

On court she wears baggy, almost retro style tennis clothes - which ties in with her love of 1990s music.

She has 14 tattoos. One is the year 2022 to mark the first time she played in all four Grand Slams.

Another reads "the show must go on", which hopefully will be what her Wimbledon story will be doing in Sundays fourth round.