Kartal is experiencing a notable ascent at Wimbledon, showcasing her talent and determination. The 23-year-old tennis player delivered a remarkable performance by defeating 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, marking her third victory over a top-20 opponent this year. She then advanced to the third round by overpowering Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win.
With her eye-catching tattoos and retro tennis attire, Kartal has made a recognizable impression on the court and appears to thrive in the high-stakes atmosphere of Wimbledon. Her journey to the professional circuit has been unique, primarily self-funding her career, which she believes has accelerated her personal growth and maturity. Kartal noted, “When I was growing up, I kind of did quite a lot of tournaments on my own just because I couldn’t afford to pay a coach week in and week out. I think it was great. It helped me develop as a teenager, grow up super fast, made me much more mature, hold myself accountable to a lot of things.”
As she prepares for her next match against French qualifier Diane Parry—who recently ousted 12th seed and world number 15 Diana Shnaider—Kartal is focused on maintaining her strong form. She expressed her eagerness to perform well at home, saying, “I think having a home Slam, I think that’s one arena I really want to perform well in front of the people that mean the most to me, friends and family and everyone.”
Kartal’s strategic adaptation to the grass surface also presents an opportunity for her to enhance her skills beyond this tournament. Her story resonates as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of challenges. With her current momentum, Kartal is poised to make her mark in the tournament.