Johanna Konta has today officially become a member of the Top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time and to celebrate it I’m sharing this old practice photo of the Brit who started playing tennis at the age of eight. Earlier this year, for Konta’s 25th birthday, I showed you a photo of her as a cute blue-eyed baby.
By virtue of upsetting Madison Keys in the semifinals of the China Open, Konta became the first British WTA player in 32 years to reach the Top 10. Since the WTA rankings were introduced on November 3rd, 1975, only three other British players have achieved the feat: Viginia Wade, Sue Barker and, most recently, Jo Durie. Earlier this summer at the Rogers Cup, Konta missed the opportunity to crack the Top 10, slipping to a surprise defeat at the hands of world No.121 Kristina Kucova of Slovakia.
After ensuring the Top 10 debut, Konta lost the China Open final to Agnieszka Radwanska. Had she won the title, she would have been a world No.7, while now she’s enjoying the No.9 ranking.
Many more career accomplishments are definitely ahead of the Sydney-born British player. The Eastbourne resident has the Premier-level Bank of the West Classic title to her name and it’s certain that it will not remain a sole title in her biography. (photo: Konta’s Instagram)
