Johanna Konta
Johanna Konta

Johanna Konta takes positives from Paris despite semi-final defeat


Johanna Konta refused to be too downbeat following her straight-sets semi-final defeat to Marketa Vondrousova at the French Open.

Konta wasted good opportunities in both sets, losing 7-5 7-6 in a match which was defined by her mistakes versus her opponent's assuredness.

Still, the British number one was keen to focus in the positives having ended a run of first-round exits at Roland Garros in spectacular style.

"There is nothing for me to be disappointed in or upset about," she said. "I lost a tennis match, but I also won five. I can only take the good things from that.

"Because even today, I lost the match but I did the best that I could and I'm proud of that effort. I'm proud of that achievement in itself. So I can only look forward to playing at Wimbledon and the tournaments before that."

There was much talk before the match about the fact that it was held on Roland Garros' third court, a decision which was described by WTA chairman Steve Simon as "inappropriate and unfair".

Konta said she was surprised when she saw the schedule.

"I think the way it looks probably speaks for itself more than anything.

"What is tiring and what is really unfortunate is that female athletes have to sit in different positions and have to justify their scheduling or their involvement in an event or their salary or their opportunities.

"And I think to give time to that is even more of a sad situation than what we found ourselves in today in terms of the scheduling.

"I don't want to sit here and justify where I'm scheduled. That's not my job. My job is to come here and entertain people, and I feel I did that. And I feel I gave people who paid for tickets every opportunity to enjoy their French Open experience.

"And if the organisers do not feel that is something that can be promoted and celebrated, then I think it's the organisers you need to have a conversation with, not me."

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