Johanna Konta back on court for pre-season but no coach yet to replace Wim Fissette

by Andy Schooler

British number one Johanna Konta is back on court after injury but is yet to appoint a new coach.

The Wimbledon semi-finalist ended her 2017 season early due a problem with her left foot and also split from her coach of a year, Wim Fissette, who has since linked up with former world number one Angelique Kerber.

The 26-year-old began her pre-season training earlier this week and on Friday made a public appearance at an event for her sponsors, Nature Valley.

"We are actively looking for someone but I'm not in a rush to make a decision," Konta said. "I'm very open. I'm looking for a coach who will make a good match with me."

On her reasons for parting ways with Fissette, she remained tight-lipped, saying only: "Wim and I got along great and I really enjoyed my season with him. It was time for both of us to make a change and we parted in a very positive way."

The rest of her support team remains in place and there is a chance Konta who head into 2018 with only them in tow.

They include assistant coach and hitting partner Andrew Fitzpatrick, who has gained plenty of coaching experience in recent years working under Paul Annacone when the American was coaching current US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Fitzpatrick has also worked with Caroline Wozniacki and more recently was coach of British number three Naomi Broady.

Konta’s first big target of 2018 will be the Australian Open which starts on January 15 and Sky Bet make her a 14/1 chance.

She has already signed up to defend her title in the city of her birth, Sydney, the week before and is set to open her campaign in Brisbane in the first week of the New Year.

However, that has yet to be confirmed, with Shenzhen in China, where she began each of her last four seasons, another option.

Konta endured a torrid time after her Wimbledon semi-final run this year, winning only two of her eight matches.

However, former British number one Greg Rusedski, who was playing alongside Konta at Friday’s event at the Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush, west London, is backing her to bounce back well at the start of the season and has no qualms over her coaching situation.

“She has the core of her team (still in place) and is just looking forward for a coach at the moment.

“When you’ve been in the top 10 for as long as she’s been she knows what she needs and she knows what she’s looking for.”

He added: “Jo had a fantastic year again. She’s had two years at the top, got to a career-high number four, semi-final of Wimbledon.

“She’s a lovely girl, works hard and is so professional. I think her future is very bright.

“She’s the best British player since I can remember.

“Whenever she does something it’s the first since this, the first since 1984 and Jo Durie or Sue Barker.

“I’m very excited looking forward to next year for Jo and I wish her all the best.”

Related links

• ATP Finals: Results, order of play & standings
• Sky Bet's latest tennis odds