Venue: All England Club Dates: 3-16 July
Johanna Konta is “tremendously proud of being part of a little bit of history” in the wake of turning into Britain’s first ladies’ Wimbledon semi-finalist for a long time.
6th seed Konta, 26, coordinated Virginia Wade’s 1978 accomplishment with a gutsy 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 prevail upon Romanian second seed Simona Halep.
She has equalled her best Grand Slam run and will next face Venus Williams.
“Ever since I was nine years old I’ve believed in my own ability and dreamed big,” Konta told.
“I don’t give myself too much time to dream and more focus on the work. I just stuck to my true self.”
Konta was watched by Wade from the Royal Box on Center Court, with the 1977 champion portraying the Briton’s execution on Tuesday as “absolutely stunning”.
“Both players were so good but she had a tougher mind and was more aggressive,” Wade said.
“It’s fine to be the last British women’s winner to win Wimbledon, but it’s better to have plenty of British players to win. I’m just surprised it’s taken so long.”
Six-time Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King lauded the way Konta took care of herself both amid and after the match.
“I love the fact that she talks about her ambition. Women are taught not to talk about ambition,” said the American, who won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles.
“We should be nice, be polite – she says it like it is. She never takes anything for granted.”
Konta, ranked seventh in the world, is the first British woman to be among the top 10 since Jo Durie in April 1984.
“She knows that every time she goes on court it’s a blessing,” King added.
“Great Britain should be so proud of her and she should be proud of herself.”
The way Konta battled back in the wake of losing the primary set and held her nerve amid a strained last set will most likely have helped her certainty before she meets five-time champion Williams on Thursday.
Despite the fact that she is looking for her initially grass-court title, Konta’s shape at first glance has been amazing. She achieved the last at Nottingham and the semi-finals at Eastbourne before being compelled to pull back with back damage.
“I’ve dreamed of success in every Slam,” said Konta, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2016.
“I think it makes it more special because it is home.
“I feel my opponents have pushed me, and I in turn them, and to create such a sporting excitement for the crowd makes it very special.”
