“Would Mean So Much to Me”: Johanna Konta Sets Sights on Tokyo Olympics 2021 Return

British tennis star Johanna Konta has set her sights on competing in the Tokyo Olympics next year. The top-ranked British player has been nursing a dodgy knee, which, combined with the pandemic, cut short her 2020 season.

Indifferent form dogged Johanna Konta in 2020

Konta featured in only 17 matches in 2020 and lost 9 of them. Also, for the first time since 2015, she couldn’t reach the final of a WTA event.

However, her indifferent form and run of losses have shaken her resolve to play for the flag at the Summer Olympics next year.

That the event, originally scheduled this year, was pushed back to 2021 owing to concerns around the pandemic has only given her more time to work on her fitness and return to action.

Putting setbacks aside, Konta wants to look ahead

Underlining her desperation to return for the Tokyo Olympics, Konta said, “I mean first of all I want to be part of the Olympics. It would just mean so much to me to be part of Team GB.”

Konta, who has already represented her country in the Olympics (Rio 2016) once, said it would be a privilege to do it twice. She wants to give herself every chance to be a part of Britain’s Tokyo contingent.

“Being part of Team GB in Rio was a massive pinnacle in any athlete’s life. To be able to do that twice, 100% I’d love to be there,” the British tennis star said.

Konta open to playing both singles and doubles at the Olympics

She added that she is focusing on representing her country in singles, but isn’t ruling out competing in doubles as well. Konta said, “Obviously, I’d love to play singles. I mean I would definitely consider doubles.” 

Konta says she hopes compatriot Heather Watson would also qualify for Olympics singles if she hasn’t already. “Hopefully Heather has also qualified for that or will be close to qualifying. 

Who knows whoever can have a really good year and qualify,” the British tennis star said.

True to her poor run of form this season, Konta lost to Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the second round of the US Open this year. Can Konta feature at the Tokyo Olympic games?

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