Johanna Konta: Coach has Grand Slam credentials

Johanna Konta believes new coach Michael Joyce has the credentials to push her towards the Grand Slam success she craves.

Konta climbed to a career-high world number four ranking and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2017, but she admits she lost some of her focus through the latter part of the season.

She announced this week that Joyce had been appointed to succeed Wim Fissette, who split with Konta in October following four consecutive defeats in a disappointing end to the 2017 season. Joyce is best known for his work with five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and Konta is looking forward to having his experience in her corner.

The British No.1 feels Joyce can help adapt her schedule in order that she’ll be peaking when the Grand Slams roll around. “I think I definitely lost my way a bit with that in the second half of the season,” said Konta. “I think I’m at my strongest when I’m clear on the direction I want to go in and the improvement I want to see happening. “I like to think with each step I take and experience I go through I become better equipped to play for major titles. Working with Michael is a step in that direction.

“He fits well into what I need and I’m looking forward to building a long-lasting working relationship with him. He definitely has a lot of things I can bring to my game.” Joyce will be in Konta’s camp when the Miami Open champion begins her 2018 season in Brisbane as the countdown to next month’s Australian Open begins.

Konta can be backed at 17.00 to win the season’s opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, while she’s 13.00 to win the Wimbledon title in 2018.