Sonay Kartal’s return to tennis has gone much better than expected as she is into the Wuhan semi-finals.
The Brit had a good start to the season which included a quarter-final in Auckland and a run to the fourth round in Indian Wells.
However, it was in California where Kartal suffered an injury against Elena Rybakina and would miss six months of tennis.
This was a particular blow as she would miss the grass court season and Wimbledon as she would miss out on defending her fourth round points from the previous year.
Taking her time to come back to the sport has been rewarded for Kartal as she is into the semi-finals of Wuhan, defeating Jasmine Paolini and Elina Svitolina in the process.
After the win Kartal has said that she is proud of her achievements this week and did not expect to find her level this quickly, “I’m very proud to get through that one,” Kartal told the WTA website.
“It was far from easy. I played at the very start of the year in Auckland. I know her pretty well, so I know that until the last point was played, I was never safe. I’m proud of the level that I managed to produce. And I’m very happy that I’ve been so consistent this week.
“I definitely did not think that I would find this level this fast. I think it’s a bit of a surprise to me. I’ve had my best wins in my third tournament back. I was trying to get these wins at the start of the years so the fact that I’ve managed to do that so fast…I did lose six months on the tour, but I don’t feel like that when I’m playing on the court. So, for me, that’s a big positive. I’m just going to try and continue the form. I think I’m back where I wanted to be. I didn’t expect it to be so soon.
“So I think now that I’m back, I’m just going to try and maintain this level and try and find my ceiling and see where I can get to in the next year or so.”
Tennis is a confidence sport and Kartal said that she is growing with confidence with every match that she is playing, “I think I’m just growing in confidence with every match that I’m playing,” Kartal stated.
“In terms of just coming back from an injury in a long period of time, usually results not always come this quickly.”
It’s been an incredible comeback from Kartal but one that could have been easily rushed and been unsuccessful.
However, Kartal decided to take her time and is now benefiting from a crucial decision in her career.
The Brit spoke about the advice she received and revealed she could have returned in August, “I was ready to get back kind of end of August time but I knew I was going to come back to these events,” Kartal explained.
“I had to try and replicate the environment of a match as best as you can in training. I don’t think you can replicate it, but I didn’t rush myself. I’ve got a lot of tennis years left in me, so I took advice from a lot of other players who have had lengthy injuries. I just had a great physio down here and I just trusted in her and trusted in the team that when I would get back. I didn’t know that I would get back to the level that I know I can do.
“I think the biggest advice I received was don’t rush it. When you’re playing an individual sport, you want to get back as quickly as you can for many reasons, financially and, I love playing in these atmospheres… but I had to trust the people around me. I know I have the best in the game and at the end of the day, they know what they’re doing. I might be stubborn and want to try and push them, but ultimately I’ve got to sit back and listen.
“It’s rare as a tennis player you get six months away, so I tried to make the most of it.”
Kartal will hope she can continue to be refreshed and energised when she faces Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the final.
