EMMA RADUCANU and Sonay Kartal are lighting up Wimbledon 2024.
Just like they did at the National Tennis Centre all the way back in 2011 as NINE-YEAR-OLDS.
Raducanu and Kartal both booked their place in round three on Wednesday with superb victories – guaranteeing themselves each a minimum of £143,000 in prize money.
The former US Open champion has not got this far in a Major since winning at Flushing Meadows in 2021.
She will face Maria Sakkari on Centre Court on Friday in a repeat of their New York semi-final.
While Kartal – who has overcome health battles – came through qualifying to book a third-round date with Coco Gauff.
But before those blockbuster Wimbledon clashes, the LTA dug out incredible throwback footage of the two Brits producing a superb rally as young girls.
In the Roehampton rally, the pair battle it out on a reduced-sized indoor court.
Kartal serves at the end closer to the camera with Raducanu – decked out in her Wimbledon whites – at the far end.
Both show wonderful technique, especially with their forehands.
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It looks as though Raducanu will win the point as she steps in after a forehand deep into the corner – but Kartal gets it back into play then sprints on to a running forehand and fizzes it up the line in style for a winner.
The post on Thursday lunchtime prompted a wave of replies from British tennis fans.
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One said: “Nine years old and hitting like this…!”
Another wrote: “What a superb rally from two highly talented kids, now young women. I wish them both all the best.”
A third added: “Great play by both – can’t you just see that’s Emma by her play if none had said.”
And a final user commented: “Spectacular rally for two kids.”
Raducanu was serenaded by a passionate fan after her latest win and will team up with Andy Murray in a mixed doubles dream team at SW19.
As for Kartal, she came through a three-set epic against Clara Burel to secure her spot in round three.
The 22-year-old has a picture in her bedroom attending Wimbledon aged seven.
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
And now she is relishing the chance to take on one of the world’s best in the shape of Gauff on No1 Court tomorrow – and think about a new tattoo.
Kartal said: “The most meaningful tattoo for me, I’ve got one on my wrist that is a symbol of bravery.
“I wasn’t the best junior growing up in ITFs. I wasn’t that great. A bit of a late developer.
“I lost a lot of matches from playing too safe. I kind of had enough of losing and was like, I need to change something.
“If I have it on my wrist, I can see it. It’s a little reminder at change of ends.
“I think there will probably be a bet in place with my coach. He also has tattoos, he’s pretty covered. There’s always a joke in the Slams that we play if I reach certain rounds, there will be something.
“I think maybe despite the outcome, whatever it is, I think there could be one potentially.
“I think I’m going to go on there, got nothing to lose, and I’m just going to enjoy the moment and give it everything and see what I can do.”
