British No.1 Johanna Konta has insisted that she is still committed to her professional career but admits that the end could be approaching.
The three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist has opened up about her hopes for the future during an interview with The Telegraph earlier in the week. Konta has experienced a mixed 2020 season where she has recorded eight wins against nine losses. Her best results occurred at the Monterrey Open in Mexico and Western and Southern Open in New York where she reached the last four of both events. On the other hand, she has only won one match across all three major tournaments where she reached the second round of the US Open.
Next year the Brit will reach a milestone in her life when she turns 30 on May 17th. Despite a growing trend in players playing later into their careers, Konta admits that it is possible that she may only have two more years left to play before retiring.
“I know it’s a big day. In terms of longevity, I am definitely motivated, inspired and excited to play. I am 100 per cent not looking to stop in the next couple of years,” she told The Telegraph.
“However, I am open also to what life throws at you. I am training now into next season, I am looking forward to competing and see myself definitely playing another season after that. Then I am going to listen to my body, listen to my heart and soul, see where I am in my life. I would like to have children so obviously that will be a considering factor in how long I play, how I do things. But yeah, let’s look forward to 2021, and then hopefully 2022, and then let’s see where we are!”
Many of Konta’s peers have managed to balance motherhood with professional tennis without having to pull the plug on their careers. At this year’s US Open, three out of the four women’s semi-finalists were mothers – Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Tsvetana Pironkova. Although the world No.14 admits she is yet to see herself following in their footsteps.
“It’s definitely a pathway that is becoming more walked and more stabilised and trailblazed by some really incredible women,” said Konta.“I don’t know if that is a path for me. I can’t say I ever imagine myself playing on tour as a mother. I am not closed to the idea. One thing I have worked very hard on my career is to stay quite open to things around me. But probably I’d see myself retire and then start a family.”
Last Month Konta reunited with former coach Dimitri Zavialoff who guided her on the Tour in 2019. Zavialoff was the first coach of Stan Wawrinka. One of their aims for 2021 will be the Tokyo Olympic Games, which has been postponed by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Konta will be bidding to become the first British female player to win a medal at the Games since 1924.
“It would mean so much to me to be part of Team GB again. I remember going to Rio in 2016. I was feeling tired and thinking ‘There is no prize money, there are no points, what’s the point?’ I was being a bit of a brat for sure. But I remember getting off the plane with Heather (Watson), seeing buses full of athletes in their national tracksuits, and I got completely sucked in. I was on cloud nine for those two weeks,” she commented.
Konta has won three WTA titles so far in her career with her most recent triumph occurring at the 2017 Miami Open. She has made just over $9.7 million in prize money.
