Britain’s former world number four Johanna Konta has announced her retirement from professional tennis. Konta aged 30 reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2017, a landmark in British tennis as the first British woman to achieve this feat in 39 years.
In 2016 Konta made the last four at the Australian Open and French Open in 2019. Here best result at the US Open was a quarter finalist in 2019.
Konta, made the surprise announcement on social media saying she was “grateful” for the career she has had.
Most successful British tennis player of her generation
Born in Australia, Konta moved to the UK when aged 14 and switched alliance in 2012. Since the switch she went on to become the most successful British female player of her generation.
She also went on to win four titles on the WTA Tour as well as representing Britain in the Fed Cup.
Konta’s future has been unclear for a while. The Brit dropped down to a low 113th in the world after struggling with injuries. In the past few seasons she has had to deal with tendonitis in her right knee.
Back in June she went on record to say she would have to deal with this problem for the rest of her career. Something that is always a big concern for any sportsperson.
Further disruption with her career
Due to the coronavirus pandemic she has suffered further disruption to her career.
Earlier this year she started showing glimpses of her best form after winning the Nottingham Open. However, more bad luck followed after being ruled out of her home Grand Slam due to covid issues.
Konta then contracted the virus herself and was ruled out of the Summer Olympics. Since then she has featured just twice in Montreal and Cincinnati.
A wonderful person to deal with
On a personal note, having met Jo and spoken to her along with interviewing her, I always found her to be very accommodating to media requests.
Konta will be a big loss to British tennis, but has now handed the baton over to Emma Raducanu for the title of British Number One.