'One heck of a battle' - History-making Sussex tennis star Sonay Kartal gives classy speech after Wuhan Open final ends in disappointment
Brighton tennis star Sonay Kartal fell short of the biggest title of her career, as her remarkable comeback from injury ended in defeat in the Wuhan Open final.
The 24-year-old made a flying start against French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska – before the Polish player fought back to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday (October 18).
Despite the disappointment, it was an extraordinary week for Kartal, who was competing in only her third tournament since returning from a six-month absence with a back injury.
Ranked world No.170 at the start of the event, she became only the second British woman to reach a WTA 1000 final, following Eastbourne’s Johanna Konta.
Kartal was playing just the tenth match of her comeback and bidding to become the first British woman to win a title at this level since Konta in 2017.
However, after taking the opening set, she was drawn into an increasingly demanding contest as Chwalinska turned the match around.
Speaking during the trophy presentation, Kartal paid tribute to her opponent: “That was one heck of a battle. Congratulations to you and your team.
“You've had an incredible year. I watched you at French Open and I think everyone did.”
She also reflected on what reaching the final meant after months away from the sport.
“It's a dream come true for me and hopefully I can be in many more of these finals,” she said.
Kartal’s route to the final included victories over Anhelina Kalinina, Belinda Bencic, Jasmine Paolini and world No.6 Elina Svitolina.
She then overcame former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (9), 7-6 (5) in Saturday’s semi-final, recovering from 4-1 down in both sets.
Her success came just months after she revealed the extent of the back injury that forced her to miss Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
In June, Kartal described the setback as the toughest challenge of her career, explaining that stress fractures had prevented her from returning to the court without limitations.
Addressing her team after the final, she said: “It's obviously not the result we wanted today, but those three people in my box are the reason why I'm here.
“I'm here, I'm healthy and I'm back to fitness.
“We've had an unbelievable week. Not many people expected me to be here and to bring the level that we did. Thank you guys, love you guys.”
Kartal also thanked those who supported her recovery and the crowd who had made her feel welcome throughout the tournament.
“I'm a long way from home right now,” she said. “I've loved every second of it.”
Although her week ended without the trophy, Kartal’s run to the biggest final of her career marked a significant step forward in her return to the tour.