Johanna Konta: a trailblazer for women’s tennis bows out
Her impact on British tennis should not be underestimated
So, farewell Johanna Konta, said Molly McElwee in The Daily Telegraph. The former British No. 1 has retired from tennis at the relatively young age of 30, citing a long-standing knee problem. Hers was a “slow-burn” career: she laboured for many years on the ITF tour, before breaking through to the game’s higher echelons in her mid-20s.
British fans never truly warmed to her as they did to Tim Henman and Andy Murray. Yet her impact on British tennis should not be underestimated: Konta’s rise signalled the emergence of the women’s game from a long period of stagnation. In recent years, she has given British fans a “real contender to cheer for on the women’s tour”.
Before Konta came along, the last British woman to reach a grand slam semi-final had been Jo Durie, back in 1983, said Tumaini Carayol in The Guardian. Konta managed the feat three times – including once at Wimbledon, in 2017. Her success has “offered a reference point” for other, younger players beyond her – including, one suspects, Emma Raducanu.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
One of the tour’s hardest workers, Konta “maximised her game”, and won’t end her career, as some athletes do, with lingering regrets and “nagging frustrations”. Instead, she “will sleep soundly in the knowledge that every step of her career was imbued with maximum effort, focus and professionalism”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Bobby Charlton: England's old-fashioned sporting hero
Obituary Not only was Sir Bobby one of the country's greatest-ever footballers he was lauded for his demeanour on and off the pitch
By The Week UK Published
-
Coco Gauff: a tennis prodigy comes of age with US Open win
American 19-year-old battled back from a set down to claim first grand slam title
By The Week Staff Published
-
Adam and Simon Yates become the first twins to top a Tour de France stage
feature Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Ashes: can England mount a glorious comeback?
feature ‘Herculean’ task follows ugly scenes at controversial second test
By The Week Staff Published
-
Football, F1, golf, boxing: are the Saudis taking over?
Talking Point Huge salaries are drawing players to Saudi as kingdom seeks ‘reputational gains’
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Luton Town’s extraordinary ‘resurrection’
feature The Hatters complete a fairy tale rise from non-league to the Premier League
By The Week Staff Published