Say it was so, Jo – and learn from it
British No. 1 Jo Konta flattered to deceive once again.
Early in the second week, I was starting to believe that she could win the title – then came that horrible quarter-final loss to Barbora Strycova.
No matter what Jo said to the media – when she claimed to have been happy with her performance – the truth is she ‘choked’.
It was a repeat of the French Open semi-final when she was in a winning position, and tightened up.
There’s nothing wrong with trying to put a positive spin on things, but Jo would have been better off being honest and admitting her failings.
It would then be easier for her to work on improving the situation.
She has the ability to win Wimbledon. She has a great serve, she moves well and she can volley.
There is nothing wrong with her game – the problems are all in the mind. That’s what separates the great players from the very good.
It’s exactly the same in the men’s game as the women’s. The top three – Federer, Nadal and Djokovic –- have stayed out in front of the field for so long because they are mentally stronger.
Some players are born that way, but I do think you can work to overcome the frailty if it is there.
An example off the top of my head – Jana Novotna.
Everybody remembers her tears on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulder after she blew a 4-1 final-set lead over Steffi Graf in the 1993 Final.
She ‘froze’, and could barely put the ball in court.
That kind of horror might have ended her career. But Jana worked at conquering her nerves and, five years later, she was champion.
Sadly, Jana is not around to give Jo the benefit of her experience. She passed away 18 months ago.
But Jo can draw inspiration from Jana – if she faces up to reality.