BEST IS STILL TO COME, SAYS BILLIE JEAN

VIRGINIA WADE led the tributes last night as tennis legends hailed Jo Konta for her resilience in reaching the last four of her home Grand Slam. The 1977 Wimbledon champion was on Centre Court to watch Konta’s superb win over Simona Halep, describing it as a ‘stunning’ performance. ‘The longer it went on, the more impressed I got,’ Wade said. ‘It was absolutely a stunning performance and the pressure was relentless that Konta kept applying. She never wavered one little bit. You were always hoping she’d win, but half way through the second set you really knew she should win. ‘I was so happy for her. I know how much pressure there is.’ On Konta’s semi-final clash with American Venus Williams, Wade continued: ‘I think Jo should win that match.’ Six-time Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King said Konta keeping her head was key to overcoming Halep. ‘I’m impressed with her whole story — from just sticking to what she believed in and learning how to be the best she can be,’ said King. ‘And Jo’s going to get better. She went out there and stayed decisive. She knew her game plan, she knew she was going to miss more than Halep, don’t get upset, stay on an even keel, hang in there and stay true to her game plan.’ Former British No 1 Annabel Croft added: ‘Not even a flicker of emotion from Jo, that’s how she can cope with it. I have seen her have meltdowns when under intense pressure, but she has learned. She has done as much work on the mental side of her game as she has technique.’