The British women’s tennis scene is experiencing a dramatic shift as Emma Raducanu’s position as the nation’s second-highest-ranked player is being challenged. Raducanu, the twenty-two-year-old tennis star, is expected to see a drop in her rankings following her early exit at Indian Wells. Meanwhile, her longtime rival, Sonay Kartal, is rapidly closing the gap, fueled by her impressive performance in the same California tournament.
Kartal, currently ranked third among British women, secured her place at Indian Wells as a “lucky loser” after failing to qualify. However, she has seized the opportunity, advancing to the round of sixteen with a victory over Polina Kudermetova. This latest win puts her just fourteen points behind Raducanu in the live rankings.
Raducanu’s rapid ascent in the tennis world was highlighted by her remarkable victory at the 2021 US Open, achieved as a teenage qualifier. This win made her the first British woman to win a Major title since 1977 and propelled her to the top of the national rankings. However, a series of setbacks, including three surgeries, resulted in Raducanu losing her number one spot in 2023. Now, her second position is being threatened by the surging Kartal.
The twenty-three-year-old Kartal, a former junior national tournament competitor of Raducanu, is on a determined path. She capitalized on her “lucky loser” status at Indian Wells, securing a career-defining victory over world number seventeen Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round and following it up with a 7-5, 6-3 win against Polina Kudermetova.
Kartal’s consistent performance has provisionally elevated her to number sixty-three in the global rankings, while Raducanu is projected to drop to approximately number sixty. Kartal’s total ranking points stand at 993 after reaching the fourth round, compared to Raducanu’s 1007. The gap could narrow further, or even reverse, depending on the results of other players.
Despite facing a challenging round-of-sixteen match against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, Kartal is showing no signs of slowing down. If she progresses to the quarter-finals, her ranking points will increase to 1088, officially surpassing Raducanu.
Raducanu will have the chance to improve her points at the Miami Open next week. However, she will also be defending 108 points in Stuttgart in early April, where she reached the quarter-finals last year. In contrast, Kartal, who took a break from the sport due to health issues, has no points to defend until April.
Kartal’s strategy might involve participating in lower-level tournaments and securing wins, which could potentially help her overtake Raducanu and claim the title of Britain’s second-best female player. However, her immediate focus is on her upcoming match against Sabalenka. The British tennis landscape is poised for a significant change, and observers are watching closely.
