I’m after your crown Serena

KONTA IS FOLLOWING HER DREAM

Wimbledon champion having a baby.

But as Konta prepared for tomorrow’s fourth-round clash with Caroline Garcia, the No.21 seed from France, for once the British No.1 let her guard slip.

“Don’t get me wrong, we all dream and why I play tennis is because of my dream,” said Konta.

“My dream is to become the best player in the world - and it will be my dream for as long as I play.

“But also I keep in mind the fact that it is everyone else’s dream as well.

“For me it’s most important to stay grounded and stay true to the good things that I bring to my game. I still really enjoy competing and trying to be the best I can be.”

Having swatted aside tenacious Greek, Maria Sakkari, to reach the second week, her commanding display did little to help her stay under the radar – especially as former Wimbledon champ Ann Jones popped in to run the rule over the improving No.6 seed.

“It’s a massive compliment that those guys are watching me,”said Konta.

“But I am dissociating myself from the hype as much as I can because every match I have played here and are going to play has been challenging.

Spirit

“So I just try to make sure on the day I apply myself the best I can.” Konta admires the never- say- die spirit that’s helped catapult Andy Murray to the top of the men’s game. And she has used that template as an inspiration to give her a vital edge and make herself a warrior.

“It’s definitely something I’m trying to do. With the way the game is developing there are very few things now that set players apart,” she said

And with Williams a mere spectator this time, surely there’s never been a better time for Konta to seize the moment?

“It’s not that simple,” she said. “Obviously we are missing Serena. She is a massive force in women’s tennis.

“But we are just showing the depth of players we have now. Everyone is out there to beat me, so I go up against them to have a battle.”