Konta looks to freshen things up after coach split
JOHANNA Konta has split with coach Michael Joyce after less than a year working together.
The British No.1’s representatives confirmed that Konta has parted with American Joyce and will begin the search for a new coach — her fourth in three years — in time for the new season.
In 2016 Konta split with Esteban Carril and at the end of last season her association with Wim Fissette also came to an end.
Konta’s ranking has slipped this season — she is now down to No.45, having been as high as four following her run to the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year.
It has been a tough season, at least in the Grand Slam events, with first-round losses at the
US and French Opens and second-round exits at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
Asked about her partnership with Joyce following her firstround exit at the US Open in August, Konta said: “We’ll work together as long as we feel it’s mutually beneficial.”
Konta’s only final of the year came at the Nottingham Open in June, and she has not been beyond the second round of her last six tournaments.
The 27-year-old did, however, hand Serena Williams the biggest defeat of her career, 6-1 6-0, at the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose in August.
Joyce (45) had previously been Maria Sharapova’s coach for seven years, with the Russian winning the US Open and Australian Open as well as becoming World No.1 with his guidance.
Meanwhile, British No.1 Kyle Edmund went through to the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters with a straight-sets 6-3 6-4 victory against Italy’s Andreas Seppi.
The 23-year-old, who is currently ranked 14th in the world, will next face Chile’s World No.48 Nicolas Jarry.