NUMBERS GAME IS A RACKET TO KONTA

JO KONTA feels she is still “in the mix” in every tournament – and that her ranking is just a number. The British No.1, who reached the semi-finals here in 2016, starts her latest Australian Open campaign tomorrow down at No.38 in the world rankings. Eleven different women can finish the first Grand Slam of the season at No.1. But former world No.4 Konta is looking to rebuild with new coach Dimitri Zavialoff after a terrible 2018. Konta lost in the second round here to a lucky loser ranked No.123 last year and faces Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic in her opening match.

But the London-based star (above) said: “I feel confident that no player can step on court against me and feel confident that they will come out the winner.

“Every match I take part in, I have an equal shot of coming through as the winner.

“I have never really associated myself with a specific ranking.

“And I have never woken up, looked at myself in the mirror and thought, ‘Hey 38!’ Or, ‘Hey, No.4, how are you doing?’

“I want to be at the end stages of every tournament that I play.

“I consider myself in the mix every time.”