Kartal makes up for lack of height with power and Paolini inspiration

Wimbledon 2025

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

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Sonay Kartal can walk tall as she takes to Wimbledon's Centre Court for her first ever fourth round 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 left in the main draw of the women's 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.

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

"It's something I've worked on growing up. I knew I wasn't 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 Kartal's height "given how many lobs went over her head".

Kartal said she has taken confidence from the success of the diminutive Italian Jasmine Paolini (also 5ft 4in), who was Wimbledon runner-up last year.

"My fellow short tennis player Paolini, she has obviously proved that you don't need height on your side. She has obviously done incredible," Kartal said.

Anne Keothavong, Great Britain's 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.

"It's a dream of any young tennis player so to be given the chance to go out there, I'm super-proud," she said.

"It means a lot. It's 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 didn't expect it, I'll be honest. Grass is a surface that isn't my natural surface and in this I've already played a few big hitters, which again I struggle with.

"So this week is proving to myself that my level is there and I can do it on a surface that isn't too natural to me. So win or lose, it's been a positive week."