TIPS SAYS TITLE CONTENDER JOHANNA
split-second and usually respond with a booming ace or crunching winner off either wing.
And off it the Aussie-born ace, whose Hungarian parents emigrated to England 12 years ago, deals with those tipping her for Grand Slam glory in the same ice-cold manner.
Although for one brief moment on Friday evening she did let her guard slip when, following her straight-sets Centre Court blitz of Greek youngster Maria Sakkari, she was quizzed about her career ambitions.
Konta, whose biggest title to date came at the Miami1000 in April, admitted: “Don’t get me wrong, we all dream and why I play tennis is because of my dream.
“My dream is to become the best player in the world and it forever will be as long as I play.”
But as for the prospect of becoming the nation’s first female Wimbledon winner since Virginia Wade held the trophy in 1977, Konta quickly reverted to her normal tunnel-vision approach.
“If I were ever to be in that position it would be pretty amazing.
“But there are still a lot of matches to be played for me to have that opportunity,” said the sixth seed.
“I’m in the fourth round and have made it to the second week.
“My next challenge is to try and be at my best to compete on Monday.
“Billie Jean King has always said pressure is a privilege – and I am definitely looking at it in that sense.
“But I am dissociating myself from the hype as much as I can because everyone can play so well and everyone has the same dreams as me.”