Sonay Kartal continues to make headlines as one of Britain’s most exciting tennis talents, building an impressive career worth hundreds of thousands through her powerful baseline game and fierce determination.
The 23-year-old from Brighton has climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 49 while capturing her first WTA title and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time. Her inspiring journey from self-funded junior tournaments to tennis stardom showcases remarkable resilience.
In this article, you will know Sonay Kartal’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more about this rising British tennis star who continues to defy expectations on the international stage.
Sonay Kartal’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sonay Kartal |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 2001 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Education | Longhill High School |
| Nationality | British (Turkish descent) |
| Height | 5’4″ (163cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2019 |
| Net Worth | $1.2 million |
| Career Earnings | $803,000+ |
| Relationship Status | Dating Luke Ogbourn |
| @sonay__kartal (15K+ followers) | |
| Current Ranking | World No. 49 |
| Career High | World No. 49 (June 2025) |
Early Career
Sonay Kartal began her tennis journey at age six after watching her older brother play at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club in Brighton, where she continues to train today. Born in Sidcup, London, to Turkish parents, she moved to Brighton during her childhood and attended Longhill High School while developing her tennis skills.
Her early inspiration came from watching tennis legends Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters, who became her favorite players and role models.
Unlike many professional players who receive extensive coaching from an early age, Kartal’s path proved more challenging due to financial constraints. Her family couldn’t afford regular private coaching, forcing her to train in group sessions and largely fund her own tournament participation during her junior years.
This difficult journey taught her resilience and independence that would later become crucial assets in her professional career.
Her junior career showed flashes of potential, though she admits to struggling with confidence and consistency during those early years. The lack of consistent coaching meant she had to develop her game through trial and error, learning to solve problems on court independently.
Despite these challenges, her natural talent and work ethic began to shine through as she progressed through the junior ranks, setting the foundation for her eventual professional breakthrough.
Professional Career
Kartal turned professional in 2019 and began competing primarily on the ITF Circuit, where she would spend several years grinding through smaller tournaments to earn ranking points and prize money.
Her first significant breakthrough came in November 2021 when she secured her first ITF title at the Antalya $15k event, followed quickly by another victory at the Monastir $15k tournament. These early victories provided crucial confidence and momentum for her developing career.
The 2024 season marked Kartal’s true emergence on the global tennis stage when she qualified for Wimbledon and reached the third round, defeating Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel before falling to Coco Gauff.
This performance made her the second British woman in the Open Era to reach the third round as a qualifier, announcing her arrival among tennis’s rising stars. Her biggest career achievement came in September 2024 when she captured her first WTA title at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia, defeating Rebecca Šramková 6-3, 7-5 in the final.
The 2025 season has brought even greater success as Kartal reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time, defeating 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko and Diane Parry to achieve this milestone.
Her consistent improvement has pushed her ranking to a career-high No. 49, making her the third-highest ranked British female player behind Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter. She also made her Billie Jean King Cup debut in 2025, contributing victories against Germany and the Netherlands.
Coach
Julie Hobbs serves as Sonay Kartal’s primary coach, a partnership that began when Kartal was just six years old and has remained unbreakable throughout her journey to professional success. Hobbs coaches Kartal at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club in Brighton and Hove, the same facility where Kartal first picked up a racquet as a child.
Their long-standing relationship provides crucial stability and continuity that has been instrumental in Kartal’s development from a scared beginner who would “fall over and be too scared to come back” to a top-50 professional player.
Ben Reeves works alongside Hobbs as part of Kartal’s coaching team, providing additional technical expertise and support during her training sessions. The coaching duo has helped develop Kartal’s aggressive baseline game and mental toughness, qualities that have become her trademark on the professional tour.
Their approach emphasizes consistency and patience, helping Kartal build the foundation needed to compete with the world’s best players.
Boyfriend
Sonay Kartal enjoys a loving relationship with Luke Ogbourn, a British bodybuilder and strongman who has become her biggest supporter throughout her tennis journey.
The couple became public in November 2023 when they first appeared together on Ogbourn’s Instagram, and their relationship has grown stronger as Kartal’s career has flourished. Ogbourn brings his own impressive athletic credentials to their partnership, having won gold at Iron Beasts 2024 and silver at the UK’s Strongest Man U23 competition.
Luke Ogbourn has proven to be an incredibly supportive partner, frequently attending Kartal’s tournaments and celebrating her victories publicly on social media.
Following her first-round win at Wimbledon 2025, Ogbourn posted an emotional message saying “I don’t think I could be any more proud of you. Onto the third round. Love you champ”. He also brought her a bouquet of flowers after she qualified for Wimbledon in 2024, showing his dedication to supporting her career milestones.
Sonay Kartal’s Net Worth Details
Sonay Kartal’s net worth is estimated to be $1.2 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Prize Money | Singles Titles | Money List Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $259,854 | 0 | 51 |
| 2024 | $277,795 | 1 | 52 |
| 2023 | $133,333 | 0 | 158 |
| 2022 | $125,713 | 0 | 178 |
| 2021 | $6,248 | 0 | 501 |
| 2019 | $823 | 0 | 890 |
| Total | $803,766 | 1 | 142 |
Endorsements
Kartal’s endorsement portfolio centers around equipment partnerships with Adidas for apparel and footwear, plus Babolat for her tennis racquets. Her most notable commercial relationship includes a partnership with Lexus UK, which she has promoted through social media content and appearances.
The LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) also provides support and promotional opportunities as part of their development program for British players. While her endorsement deals remain relatively modest compared to established stars, her rising profile and inspiring story make her increasingly attractive to brands seeking authentic partnerships with emerging athletes.
Her unique personality, including her collection of 14 tattoos and vintage-inspired fashion sense, appeals to younger demographics and creates marketing opportunities beyond traditional tennis sponsorships.
As her ranking continues to improve and her Grand Slam performances gain attention, expect her endorsement value to grow significantly in the coming years.
Career Stats
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| WTA Singles Titles | 1 |
| WTA Doubles Titles | 0 |
| ITF Singles Titles | 14 |
| Career Win-Loss Record | 151-50 |
| Highest Singles Ranking | World No. 49 (June 2025) |
| Current Singles Ranking | World No. 49 |
| Career Prize Money | $803,766 |
| 2025 Win-Loss Record | 15-13 |
| 2025 Aces Per Match | 1.57 |
| Best Grand Slam Result | Fourth Round (2025 Wimbledon) |
| 2025 First Serve Percentage | 72% |
| 2025 Break Points Converted | 51.4% |
| Playing Style | Right-handed, aggressive baseline |
| Billie Jean King Cup Debut | 2025 |
| WTA Tour Debut | 2022 (Nottingham Open) |
FAQs
1. How much money does Sonay Kartal make per year?
Kartal earned $259,854 in prize money during 2025, ranking 51st on the WTA money list. Her total annual income increases when including endorsement deals with Adidas, Babolat, and Lexus UK, though exact sponsorship figures remain private in professional tennis.
2. Is Sonay Kartal dating anyone or married?
Sonay Kartal has been dating Luke Ogbourn since late 2023, a British bodybuilder and strongman who won gold at Iron Beasts 2024. Ogbourn frequently attends her tournaments and provides emotional support, posting celebratory messages after her victories on social media platforms.
3. What is Kartal’s biggest career achievement?
Kartal’s greatest career accomplishments include winning her first WTA title at the 2024 Jasmin Open in Tunisia and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon 2025. She defeated 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko at Wimbledon, becoming the first British qualifier to reach round four since 1997.
4. Why does Sonay Kartal have so many tattoos?
Kartal currently has 14 tattoos and has asked the public for suggestions for her 15th tattoo to commemorate her Wimbledon success. She promises to consider fan suggestions seriously, stating that she would “90% end up going with one of those ideas” submitted by supporters.
5. Who coaches Sonay Kartal currently?
Julie Hobbs serves as Kartal’s primary coach since she started playing tennis at age six, working alongside Ben Reeves at Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club in Brighton. Their long-standing partnership provides crucial stability and has guided her development from junior tennis to professional success.
