Wimbledon 2019: Rejuvenated Johanna Konta to lead the British charge in the women’s singles
Few people would have given Johanna Konta much of a second thought as a possible Wimbledon 2019 contender a few months ago. After all, she came close to slipping out of the world top 50 after a difficult start to the season.
But then suddenly everything clicked on clay as she went on magical runs in Morocco, Rome and Roland Garros. She finished runner-up in the two tournaments preceding the French Open and was a semi-finalist in Paris.
At Roland Garros, she became the first British woman since Sue Barker in 1976 to reach the last four. Of course Barker went two better as she won the whole shebang.
But the focus shifts quickly to the grass-court season with the grand finale in the women’s game set for July 13 at Wimbledon.
And Konta will again be looking to follow in another Brit’s footsteps as she is hoping to become the first British woman to win a major since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon triumph in 1977.
Those are certainly big shoes to fill, but the big question now is whether or not she will carry her clay form over to the grass and win the Wimbledon title.
The 28-year-old is on a high so there is no reason why she can’t produce that title-winning form at SW19 as she has produced the goods at the All England Club before, making the semi-final in 2017.
She is now a three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, but she does not want to be remembered as a semi-finalist and needs to go take at least one step further at Wimbledon this year.
One person who knows all about winning Wimbledon is former world No 1 Lindsay Davenport, who won the title at SW19 in 1999.
The American believes Konta is “setting herself up for a huge result” at Wimbledon.
“I’ve always thought she’s had a champion’s mentality,” Davenport said.
“How she works, how she speaks, how she approaches her career, that’s going to pay off, and you can see it paying off this season.
“I think she’s setting herself up for a really strong second half of the year.”
She added: “Hopefully she plays a really smart schedule, because Grand Slams, when you make a run, it takes something out of you and it’s always important to recover, especially with Wimbledon coming up so soon.
“Sometimes the temptation is to keep playing, keep playing.
“Hopefully she assesses everything really well and doesn’t overplay going into the biggest tournament for her, which is Wimbledon, because I think she’s setting herself up for a huge result there.”
No question the attention will just be a bit more, the hype will be a bit louder, but while it affects some negatively, Konta needs to feed off that positive energy.
Her rise, though, has naturally given the rest of the British contingent a lift with Katie Boulter, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swan next in line.
Boulter has struggled with injury and was forced to miss the French Open while Watson and Swan failed to make it through the qualifiers at Roland Garros.
They are all outside the top 100 so might have to come through qualifying or might be given a wildcard, but the grass-court season will give them new hope.
Suddenly the impossible doesn’t seem impossible and a decent run at Eastbourne or Nottingham could just do the trick and give them a boost ahead of Wimbledon.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Tennis365’s Legends of Roland Garros number one: Rafael Nadal
-
-
Comment: Serena Williams’ dismissal of Dominic Thiem damages tennis’ equality cause
-
Comment: Kei Nishikori must work harder on his fitness and make tactical improvements
-
T365 Recall: How Roger Federer magically won the 2009 French Open title
-
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu suffers huge injury setback on the eve of Miami Open
Raducanu forced to make a tough decision ahead of WTA 1000 tournament in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz hailed for ‘chasing Rafael Nadal’ by pundits as injury concern highlighted
“It adds to the quality of Alcaraz that he can play at this level at the age of 20.”
-
Tennis News
Miami Open draw: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner learn their fate as Andy Murray gets enticing opener
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and co. have learned their draws for 2024 Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Tim Henman gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s ‘revealing’ Miami Open withdrawal
“It probably does lead a little bit more to speculation when you’re talking about your professional and personal life.”
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by legendary coach
“Rafa can do the same thing that Federer does, while Cristiano cannot do what Messi does.”
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova makes Novak Djokovic ‘doubt’ claim as she highlights age factor
“What happens when you get older is the bad days are worse. You have to have it (doubt) no matter what.”
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Dominant Iga Swiatek practically assured of big feat ahead of Roland Garros
This way for your post-Indian Wells WTA Rankings.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray makes retirement uncertainty confession as he also opens up about one of his toughest losses
“I would want to be there by right,” says Andy Murray.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic 7.997 years at No 1, Carlos Alcaraz holds off Jannik Sinner, Luca Nardi +27
This way for your latest ATP Rankings.
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz on THAT point against Daniil Medvedev – ‘Something happened to my feet’
“Points like this one give me extra motivation to put a smile on my face.”