Sonay Kartal Parents: The Brighton Family Behind Her Tennis Success
British tennis star Sonay Kartal has continued to attract attention for her performances on the international circuit, with her impressive Wimbledon run in 2025 establishing her as one of Britain’s most promising players. Behind her growing success are her parents, a Turkish father and British mother who raised her in Brighton, England. Their encouragement, financial sacrifices, and strong family values helped Kartal develop from a young girl playing at a local tennis club into an established professional athlete competing against some of the world’s leading players.
Born on October 28, 2001, Sonay Kartal grew up in a working-class household where sport was an important part of family life. Her father operated Turkish restaurants in Brighton, while her mother helped provide the stable environment that allowed Kartal and her two older siblings to pursue their interests. Although her parents have generally kept their names and personal details private, their influence has become an important part of her story.
Who Are Sonay Kartal’s Parents and What Is Their Background?
Sonay Kartal’s parents come from different cultural backgrounds. Her father is originally from Turkey, while her mother is British. The couple raised their children in Brighton, a coastal city in southern England known for its diverse communities and sporting culture.
Her father’s Turkish heritage has remained an important part of Kartal’s identity. Although she was born and raised in England and represents Great Britain professionally, she maintains family connections to Turkey and has spent time visiting relatives in Istanbul.
Her father built his career in the restaurant industry after moving to the United Kingdom. He reportedly owned two Turkish restaurants in Brighton, establishing a business that supported the family’s everyday life.
Interestingly, his restaurant business also played an unexpected role in introducing his children to tennis.
According to accounts of Kartal’s childhood, a tennis coach associated with the Lawn Tennis Association visited one of her father’s restaurants. During a conversation, the coach and her father discussed opportunities for young children to participate in tennis.
That conversation eventually led to Kartal’s older brother attending local tennis sessions. Sonay followed him into the sport when she was approximately six years old.
What began as a chance encounter in a family restaurant gradually developed into the foundation of a professional sporting career.
Kartal’s father was already interested in tennis and admired Swiss champion Roger Federer. His enthusiasm helped create an environment where the sport was familiar and encouraged rather than something completely new to the family.
Her mother has remained less visible in public reporting, although Kartal has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of her family’s encouragement.
Growing up with two older siblings meant that competition and physical activity were already part of her childhood. Her parents supported their children’s sporting interests but also expected them to demonstrate commitment and work hard.
Kartal has spoken about the financial realities of her upbringing, explaining that her family did not have unlimited resources to spend on professional sporting ambitions.
Tennis can be particularly expensive for young players because coaching, equipment, tournament entry fees, and travel costs quickly accumulate. For families without substantial financial backing, supporting a promising athlete requires careful decisions and personal sacrifices.
Her parents nevertheless encouraged her to continue developing her abilities.
Rather than placing unrealistic expectations on their children, they emphasized effort and dedication. Kartal has described growing up in a household where her parents were willing to support sporting ambitions as long as their children gave their best.
This approach became one of the defining influences on Kartal’s career. Her family’s encouragement allowed her to enjoy tennis while gradually understanding the discipline required to compete professionally.
She developed her skills at local clubs in Brighton and began participating in junior tournaments, where her talent became increasingly apparent.
During her childhood, Kartal also crossed paths with Emma Raducanu, another young British player who would later achieve international recognition. The two competed against each other in junior tennis, giving Kartal valuable experience against strong opponents from an early age.
Although their professional careers followed different paths, their shared junior history remains an interesting part of British women’s tennis.
Kartal’s parents continued supporting her as she moved from local competitions into the demanding environment of international professional tennis.
Family Support and Sonay Kartal’s Rise at Wimbledon
Sonay Kartal’s professional journey has involved years of hard work, physical setbacks, and gradual improvement through lower-level tournaments.
Before becoming widely recognized at Grand Slam events, she spent considerable time competing on the ITF circuit. These tournaments helped her gain ranking points, develop match confidence, and prepare for stronger opponents.
Her progress was not always straightforward. Kartal experienced health difficulties that interrupted her career, making her eventual rise through the rankings particularly meaningful.
A major breakthrough came in September 2024 when she won her first WTA singles title at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia.
The achievement marked an important milestone for the British player, demonstrating that she could compete successfully beyond the lower professional levels.
Her career reached another significant stage during Wimbledon in July 2025.
Kartal produced a series of impressive performances at the All England Club, advancing to the fourth round of the women’s singles competition.
Her run attracted considerable attention because she had developed through a less prominent route than some of Britain’s most recognizable tennis stars.
She eventually faced Russian player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the fourth round, bringing her memorable tournament campaign to an end.
Throughout Wimbledon, her parents and family members remained an important source of encouragement. Their presence in the player box reflected the close relationship that had supported her since childhood.
For Kartal, competing successfully at Wimbledon carried additional significance because it allowed her family to witness the results of years of commitment.
Her achievements also introduced more people to her unusual introduction to tennis through her father’s restaurant business.
As her professional profile increased, Kartal became an example of how talented players can emerge from ordinary family backgrounds without growing up in wealthy sporting households.
Her performances during the 2026 season have kept attention on her progress as she continues facing established international opponents. Participation in major tournaments, including events on the Asian swing, has provided further opportunities to strengthen her position in professional tennis.
Despite her growing recognition, Kartal has remained closely connected to Brighton and the family environment that shaped her childhood.
Her parents’ influence extends beyond financial support or attending tournaments. Their emphasis on dedication, resilience, and enjoying sport helped Kartal develop the mentality needed to handle professional competition.
Her Turkish and British family background also gives her a personal connection to two cultures, something that distinguishes her story within British tennis.
While her father’s restaurant business has become a memorable part of her biography, her mother’s contribution has largely remained private. Both parents, however, have been central to the supportive upbringing Kartal has described.
Sonay Kartal’s journey from a Brighton tennis club to the Wimbledon fourth round reflects the importance of opportunity, persistence, and family encouragement. Her parents may prefer to remain outside the spotlight, but their role in helping her pursue professional tennis remains one of the most meaningful parts of her career.