Story bySonay Kartal is ranked 68th best tennis player in the world [BBC]Danielle Malgwi - South EastThu, December 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM UTC·1 min readFormer tennis player Sonay Kartal said it was "great to be back" as she visited her old primary school and met former teachers. Ranked 68th in the world, Kartal played on Centre Court at Wimbledon this summer and represented Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup during a breakout year in her career. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRevisiting Saltdean Primary School, she said she still remembers where all the classrooms are and joked that at 163cm she "actually felt big for once". Kirstie Evans, who taught her in Year 3 - 16 years ago - said: "I've followed her career, I watched her at Wimbledon, so getting the opportunity to see her again today is just so lovely and I feel like she hasn't really changed."Kartal played in the Wimbledon Championships in 2025 [BBC]"She's still just so down to earth and I think the children in my class have been really inspired by her."The visit was part of the Lawn Tennis Association's Youth Schools Programme, to promote the sport. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKartal said: "When I was here, tennis was kind of a niche sport, it wasn't that accessible, it was a bit more under the radar, we didn't have tennis after-school club or lessons in PE."She said the programme is making tennis "more accessible" by improving equipment and courts. She said that 30,000 people are now trained to deliver lessons — a sign the sport is going in the right direction for these kids". Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc. co. uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this storyKartal 'on right path' despite China Open exit.
