Konta to skip Melbourne... and could retire

FORMER British No 1 Jo Konta seems certain to miss January’s Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist has not played since the middle of August due to persistent knee problems and her longer-term future is shrouded in doubt. With barely a week before entry deadlines to the Australian warm-up events, there has been no sign of Konta practising in London as she weighs up alternatives to a tennis career, such as broadcasting. While her vaccination status is unknown — and being jabbed is a requirement to play in Melbourne — the worsening state of Konta’s knees is the bigger obstacle. The 30-year-old has been restricted to only 18 matches this year, which has seen her slip down to 112 in the world rankings.