Britain's Konta fit for Wimbledon

Johanna Konta has recovered in time to play at Wimbledon, after she suffered a nasty fall at the Eastbourne Open and injured her spine. She will take on Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei in the first round.

Published : Jul 02, 2017 20:05 IST

Britain's Johanna Konta speaks during a press conference at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2017, on the eve of the start of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament.  / AFP PHOTO / POOL / AELTC AND AELTC/Jed Leicester / Jed Leicester
Britain's Johanna Konta speaks during a press conference at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2017, on the eve of the start of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / AELTC AND AELTC/Jed Leicester / Jed Leicester
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Britain's Johanna Konta speaks during a press conference at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2017, on the eve of the start of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / AELTC AND AELTC/Jed Leicester / Jed Leicester


Q. You and Andy Murray have given us quite a scare this week. He says he's fit enough to play seven matches. Do you feel up to your form?

I'm definitely recovering really well. I'm taking it a day at a time. I practiced today and felt good. I'm definitely looking forward to playing my first round. Like Andy, I'd like to think that I'm fit enough to play seven matches, but I'm going to be taking it one at a time.

Q. How is your thoracic spine, post the injury?

It's much better. It was most important to just make sure that I was well enough through the chain, and my body. It was definitely the medically right decision to not continue playing in Eastbourne, to give my body that chance to recover. It was a bit of a traumatic fall on the body.

But, no, it's been going well. I hit today, felt pretty good out there.

Q. You get another crack at Hsieh, this time on a surface that actually suits your game slightly better, but she's still quite unconventional. What are your thoughts going into the match this time around?

It's quite interesting that I actually get to play her again. I guess in terms of the probability of playing each other first round in a slam in a row, that's actually pretty cool.

I know she does enjoy the grass. She's a Wimbledon champion in doubles here, so she definitely can play on this surface.

Actually, the first time I played her, I lost to her on grass. I'm definitely going into the match knowing that she will be playing very comfortably on the surface, she will definitely look to make things difficult for me.

I'd like to think that I'm also better prepared. I'd like to think that I will be going into the match with a clear game plan and trying to execute that as best as I can. I'm looking forward to playing.

Q. You've had quite a quick rise to the top of the world of tennis. How are you and your loved ones coping with the pressures of the public eye? Who will be cheering you on from the stands?

Well, I think my loved ones are doing quite well (laughter). I don't think they're necessarily feeling any sort of pressure. I think as a family we are quite orientated -- process orientated, just really looking to aid me the best they can to work the best that I can.

I'm hoping my family will be around. I think they are working some of the days, so I'm not too sure. But I'm hoping they'll be around tomorrow.

Q. The injury obviously wasn't the best way to finish your Wimbledon buildup. How did you feel generally during the tournaments you played? You seemed to be getting better with each week.

I think I had three great matches in Eastbourne, again. I had a very full-on Thursday, as did all the other players. I think everyone played two matches that day, so it was a long day for everyone. I got to play against two Grand Slam champions, the reigning French Open champion, and also the No. 1 player in the world.

I felt that I was tested in very different ways, two completely different players. I was quite happy with how I was able to adapt between those two matches on the same day.

But overall I'm coming into Wimbledon with some great time on the grass against some great players. That doesn't guarantee anything here results-wise, but I definitely have prepared the best I can to perform here.

Q. How does the pressure this year compare to previous years? Obviously your profile has improved quite a lot in the last couple years. Do you feel more expectations this time around?

I guess because my expectations continue to be my own, continue to (be) what I judge myself on, my own journey, my own focus, in that sense not much has changed. I do try to keep myself around my own people, around the mentality that I want to be around.

But I know there's, I guess, more attention, and there's more interest in my performance. But that's also a good thing. It means we're talking more about women's tennis in this country. I guess (that's) another great way of promoting our sport.

Q. Do you have any favorite moments or memories from Wimbledon as you were growing up watching?

My favorite memory is actually the first time I got to play in the women's draw. I had a very, very long match against Christina McHale. In the end I lost 10-8 in the third (set).

It was the first time I'd ever experienced, for example, stopping because of light. It was starting to get too dark. It was just little new experiences for me.

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