Johanna Konta shrugs off Virginia Wade comparisons
ByPA Sport
Updated 02/04/2017 at 16:23 GMT
Johanna Konta has shrugged off comparisons with Virginia Wade in the wake of her victory at the Miami Open on Saturday.
Johanna Konta
Image credit: AFP
The British number one beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 to move to a career-high seventh in the world rankings.
And in becoming the first British woman to win a WTA premier mandatory event her success inevitably drew comparison with Wade, who won the Wimbledon title in 1977.
Konta told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "It does sound quite monumental but winning Wimbledon is a dream and hopefully one day I will get an opportunity to play for such a title.
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Johanna Konta - Miami 2017
Image credit: AFP
"But right now I'm happy with the work I was able to put in. It's a nice bit of history for back home and another great opportunity to promote tennis outside the grass-court months."
Konta's consistency has captured the eye this season as she has emerged the strongest contender to claim a women's grand slam title for Britain since former world number five Jo Durie in the early 1980s.
But she not only has to improve a dismal record at Wimbledon - where she has won one match in five attempts - but also combat what she believes is the increasing strength in depth in the women's game.
Konta added: "I think there's a very strong field in general, not just the top 10 or the top five. That is a great testament to our sport and it has shown in the quality of matches from the first round.
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Johanna Konta of Great Britain celebrates after winning match point during the women's singles final match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark on day thirteen of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 1, 2017
Image credit: AFP
"I think I'm learning to trust more in my mental and physical ability to keep coming back day after day. It's that resilience and fitness that I'm able to keep bringing to the court.
"For me my focus is on the daily work and that's where I keep my mind. So long as I keep body and mind healthy, I give myself the best chance to compete as much as I want to and get the opportunity to play for more titles at this level."
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