Sonay Kartal becomes British number one after Wuhan final

Sonay Kartal has become Britain’s women’s tennis number one after reaching the Wuhan Open final less than a month into her return from a stress fracture in her back. The run lifts her to 50th in the world rankings and puts her ahead of Katie Boulter, now 59th.[1]

Six months ago, Kartal said, she was sometimes unable to walk without pain. She returned to competition in September and reached the biggest final of her career in Wuhan, a WTA 1000 tournament, before losing to French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska.

Kartal said her aim on the Asian swing had been to defend the ranking points she earned the previous year and make use of her protected ranking, which is available to players after an absence of at least six months. “I think I’ve gone above and beyond that,” she said.

The runner-up finish brought Kartal 650 ranking points, taking her above her previous position and towards her career high of 44th, reached in July 2025. She can now enter tournaments, including the Australian Open, without relying on a protected ranking, giving her more choice over her schedule as she manages her return.

Kartal became the first British player to reach a WTA 1000 final since Johanna Konta in 2019. She said the back fracture had healed and credited her coach, fitness coach and physiotherapist with helping her return. “If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here,” she said.[1]