15 things you may not know about Johanna Konta

Johanna Konta's impressive run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open has raised her profile in UK recently - but who is Johanna Konta ?
Johanna KontaJohanna Konta
Johanna Konta

Here’s 15 things you may not have known about the British No.1

1. Johanna was born in Sydney to Hungarian parents. She was introduced to tennis aged eight by dad, Gabor, a hotelier and her mum, Gabriella, a dentist. She speaks both English and Hungarian.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2: She moved to Eastbourne in 2005, aged 14. She became a British citizen in May 2012

3: Johanna lives on the Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne when she’s not competing on tour

4: The British No.1 admits she’s an ‘expert’ on ice cream and gelato and also loves a cheese and ham toastie

5: Her favourite cafe in Eastbourne is Eucalyptus & Paprika Tea House on South Street

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

6: She drives a Peugeot 208 as she has a sponsorship deal with the KAP dealership in Eastbourne

7: Johanna’s LTA funding for 2015 was cut and she moved her training base to Gijon in Spain. She’s coached by Esteban Carril and José-Manuel Garcia.

8: Juan Coto is her mind coach and has helped her relax and stay more focussed on court

9: She was ranked 146th when she beat World No 8 Ekaterina Makarova in her home town tournament the Aegon International in Eastbourne last year. It was the beginning of her rapid rise up the rankings.

10: She’s a big music fan and likes Van Morrison and U2

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

11: Her first Wimbledon appearance was a wild card in 2012, where she lost 10-8 in the final set to Christina McHale.

12: Johanna refuses to tell the media the name of her boyfriend, “I am not going to tell you his name. You can call him The Boyfriend.”

13: Johanna reached the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time last summer when - ranked 97 in the world - she knocked out seeded pair Garbine Muguruza and Andrea Petkovic en route to the fourth round of the US Open, where she lost to two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

14: Her favourite holiday destination is Rome

15: Venus williams, who she beat in the first round of the Australian Open, was her favourite tennis player as she grew up.