Tennis player Sonay Kartal from Great Britain shared an unusual experience at the Indian Wells tournament. She had checked out of her accommodation in California, assuming her participation was over after being eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
However, due to another player`s withdrawal, Sloane Stephens, Kartal unexpectedly received a spot in the main draw. This sudden turn of events left the 23-year-old in a peculiar situation – without a place to stay for the duration of the competition.
Kartal described her situation humorously, stating, “I booked an apartment for the qualifying period, and then suddenly I needed to find a new place to stay at the last minute. For about twelve hours, I was technically homeless. But, in the end, it was a good problem to have.”
Despite the accommodation mishap, Kartal has been performing remarkably at Indian Wells. She is now preparing for a significant match in the round of 16 against Aryna Sabalenka, the world`s number one player.
In her previous matches, Kartal demonstrated strong form, defeating Varvara Lepchenko in straight sets in the first round, followed by a victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia with a score of 6-2, 6-1 in the second round. She continued her winning streak by defeating Polina Kudermetova, securing her place in the fourth round.
Reflecting on her recent match, she commented, “It might have looked more comfortable than it actually felt. My strategy was to maintain my serve, ensure she had to play every point, and keep the pressure on the scoreboard. I managed to stay composed and elevate my game when it was most crucial.”
