THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Sonay Kartal

Press Conference

D. KOVINIC/S. Kartal

6-4, 3-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Give us your general thoughts on the match.

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, I think, you know, it was a tough match. I played her a couple times this year already. We both knew how to play each other.

I think, you know, the conditions were pretty tough, it was pretty windy.

But, yeah, she's just, you know, she really gave me no rhythm on the ball. In the third set I was struggling to find some of my best tennis, which is, you know, that's what I needed against her.

Yeah, I mean, I have loved the experience, and I have taken away lots to learn from that match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Could you tell me a little bit more about what has the experience been, such a huge moment.

SONAY KARTAL: You know, being British and playing Wimbledon is kind of every British tennis player's dream. I have still got doubles to look forward to, either Wednesday or Thursday.

So, yeah, I'm just gonna focus on my recovery and try and get ready for the doubles match.

Q. There were a few nerves going out there?

SONAY KARTAL: Of course. There was a lot of nerves on the court. I tried my best to just kind of put them to the side and just kind of, you know, try and find the tennis.

But, you know, I had a lot of fun. The crowd was, I knew a lot of people in the crowd. Yeah, you know, despite the outcome, I still loved every minute on the court.

Q. In terms of you are still very young in terms of your career, I assume this is right up there in your career in terms of experience.

SONAY KARTAL: Six months ago this wasn't even a realistic goal for me. Things have kind of happened pretty fast, and I'm just going to use this as momentum and try and carry on and hopefully be at the U.S. in quallies.

Q. Obviously made so much progress in that time. What do you take from this to be able to make that next leap?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, you know, I believe my level is at Grand Slam level, so it's just fine-tuning little things. The grass has brought up a lot of things in my own game I'm working on.

So, yeah, I'm just going to only take the positives from that match. I think it's, you know, small things to work on, and hopefully this will be some big progress.

Q. In terms of those things you noticed on the grass, where do you need to make those tweaks?

SONAY KARTAL: Grass is a really fast surface, and certainly kind of staying on the court and not being too far behind the baseline and kind of flattening out the ball is something I'm working on. So obviously on grass it forces you to do that, which puts me in a little bit uncomfortable position.

So I think if I can get that and feel comfortable doing that, then I think I'm going to make a lot of progress.

Q. You mentioned you are obviously feeling like you're ready for this level. Do you start to feel like you are kind of at home, playing Grand Slam level?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, I don't live too far from here also, that kind of helps it a little bit. The crowd are on your side, that's always another big factor.

I do believe that my level is Grand Slam level, so I'm just going to, like I said, try and focus on all the positives and build from this, from this match.

Q. What's your previous experience at Wimbledon? Have you have been able to come here much?

SONAY KARTAL: I played juniors twice, so that was 2018, 2019. Yeah, I grew up coming here, as well, as a little kid.

Q. Where are you from?

SONAY KARTAL: Brighton.

Q. Did you have any kind of family, friends here today?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, I had a lot of people from my club down here. Parents came here. Sister came here. Yeah, I had a lot of home support here today.