THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2023

Sonay Kartal

Press Conference

M. KEYS/S. Kartal

6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Give us your initial thoughts on today if you want, and then we will start with the questions.

SONAY KARTAL: Obviously I knew it was going to be a really tough match. She had a great week last week in Eastbourne. She's in great form.

I knew coming into it it was going to be tough. Straight from that first point, she came out guns blazing. You know, I didn't do too much wrong. She just played too good sometimes.

Second set definitely had my chances. You know, I think maybe seven breakpoints or so.

I think, you know, overall I'm fairly happy with my performance today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. We have seen a couple of pitch intrusions today, a couple of protests. How has that been as a player for you? Has it been concerning seeing that? Is it a bit of a distraction?

SONAY KARTAL: I actually didn't see it. I was on court practicing. I only heard something in the locker room.

Obviously, you know, we all want to do our bit for the environment, but I think there's ways to go about it than kind of, you know, taking away someone's happiness on the court.

Q. You played a lot with Emma Raducanu before. Has she spoken with you? Have you been in touch before the tournament?

SONAY KARTAL: Not really, actually. I have had a pretty hectic grass season. Obviously she's had a few surgeries.

I think we both have just been focused. She's focused on her rehab and I'm head down, trying to focus on the grass.

Q. As you say, now you have played a lot on the grass, what do you take away from this stretch of the season?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, I think if you compare my grass season this year compared to last year, I think I made huge strides in my game. For me, grass tennis is probably the surface that pushes me to do exactly what I need to do to get better. That's to play more aggressive and flatten out a few shots.

So I think the grass season for me has been very beneficial.

Q. Obviously you won so many matches last season. Has that been in any way kind of daunting, trying to back that up this time?

SONAY KARTAL: Of course, yeah. Yeah, going into the start of the year, that was definitely on my mind. I knew I had a lot to do, and I didn't make it easy for myself doing it within four weeks.

I have managed to back them up now. I have got a nice rest of the season, nothing to defend, so it's almost like a free run for me.

Yeah, looking to take advantage of that as much as possible.

Q. What are the targets for the rest of the year?

SONAY KARTAL: I mean, I would be love to be in top 150. I'd say that's definitely the goal for this year.