Six months after back pain made brushing her teeth a struggle, Sonay Kartal is British number one after just three events back on tour.
Sonay Kartal has gone from barely functioning to leading British tennis in half a year. The 23-year-old is now the country's top-ranked player, and she got there after only three tournaments following a long layoff with a back injury.
The contrast is hard to take in. Just six months ago, the pain was so severe that everyday tasks, even brushing her teeth, left her in real distress. A tennis court, let alone a place at the top of the national rankings, felt a long way off.
Many players struggle to rebuild their rhythm, confidence and fitness after a spell on the sidelines, and back problems are among the most stubborn injuries in the sport. Kartal has not only returned but used a small number of events to move past her compatriots, which says a lot about her resilience and the work behind the scenes.
The British number one tag is a milestone, and it caps a recovery that once looked uncertain. With her body holding up and her results arriving quickly, the focus now turns to how far she can carry this momentum.
