Beaten Konta makes no excuses for early exit

Sparse crowd watches British No 1 fall to fired-up Cibulkova in straight sets

Johanna Konta refused to blame the flat atmosphere on Centre Court yesterday for her tame exit from Wimbledon.

The British number one, a semifinalist last year, bowed out in the second round to Dominika Cibulkova in front of thousands of empty seats at her home grand slam.

Wimbledon’s showpiece court was almost empty when Konta and Cibulkova began, as spectators had left following Rafael Nadal’s match.

Only when Konta was a set and a break down did the stands begin to fill up, and the crowd could not inspire a comeback as she went out 6-3 6-4.

However, Konta said: “At the end of the match it was quite full.

“I think the crowd also need a break, need to have some food, especially after a men’s match.

“I think they can be forgiven for not staying there all the way through. I felt a lot of support. I didn’t really pay too much attention to that.”

The reality was that it was a tough draw for Konta as the All England Club’s decision to make Serena Williams a seed backfired against a home player.

Slovakian Cibulkova would have been seeded 32nd, and therefore not in Konta’s sights just yet, but was bumped off the list to accommodate world number 181 Williams’ promotion after her time on maternity leave.

Former British number one and BBC summariser Sam Smith felt Cibulkova was fired up as a result, saying: “I think the Wimbledon committee have done her a favour. That is the best I have seen her play all year.”

And Konta added: “I haven’t watched many matches of hers in this past year. All I can say is that is the best she’s played against me.

“I came up against kind of a perfect storm from her today.”

Konta’s form has nosedived to the point where she is now in danger of dropping out of the world’s top 50, having been ranked fourth last year, and at present will not be seeded at forthcoming grand slams.

But after a host of early shock results, she said: “To be honest, I think this Wimbledon is another demonstration of how seeding is not the be-all and end-all.

“The depth we have in the women’s game, how players can play well in any certain match, I am not terribly worried of losing a number next to my name.

“This year I actually feel like I’m heading in the direction I want to be heading in. I think I’m improving. I think sooner or later those results will come.”