At the end of the US Open Johanna Konta will sit just outside of the top-10 of the WTA rankings after a fine run of performances in the past three majors.
Konta – who peaked at world No. 4 in 2017 – reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros before following it up with back-to-back quarter-finals at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows and will now join a cluster of players fighting for a spot in the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen to end the season.
Whether she makes it to China or not, Konta can take pride from the level of consistency she’s shown in recent months and remains hopeful that this is just the start.
After her 6-4 6-4 defeat to world No. 5 Elina Svitolina she said: ‘You know, there is always going to be disappointment and some sadness after losing a match, regardless of the round.
‘Obviously losing in the latter stages of a Slam is a very good problem to have, but obviously you also want to be further and further.
‘I mean, I’m definitely working towards that [winning a major]. There is no reason why not. I definitely feel I have every ability to be able to do that.
‘I think also putting myself in these positions more and more, it can only lend itself to hopefully one day getting the chance. So, yeah, that is what I’m working towards.’
Reflecting on her performances in the majors as a whole, the 28-year-old added: ‘I mean, it’s the best I have ever done so far in my career. There is a lot to be proud of there. There’s a lot to, you know, look back and smile on. Yeah, it’s a nice achievement to have been able to do that.
‘I think as a season as a whole so far – it’s not finished – I think I’m just pleased with how I feel I’m just getting better throughout the season. I still feel like I’m evolving and developing and just improving, which is nice to feel, being 28, as well. It’s nice to feel that I’ve still got room to just get better in the sport.
‘Yeah, I mean, it’s nice that I have had success at the slams, but overall just pleased with how I’m going about my career and enjoying the tennis that I’m playing.’
