Britain's number 1, world number 38: Johanna Konta comes into the Australian Open 2019 as an unseeded player.
The nation was starting to get excited at the start of this 2019 season, as Konta beat former US Open champion, Sloane Stephens, in the first round in the Brisbane International. Unfortunately, in true Konta inconsistent fashion - she followed it up with a lethargic defeat to Australian world number 45: Ajla Tomljanović. This was especially disappointing as Konta beat Tomljanović at the same tournament a year earlier.
Australian Open hands Johanna Konta a revenge opportunity
The wounds have still not fully healed for Konta after her Brisbane reversal to Tomljanović. Tennis players are fortunate for the fact that not long after a defeat - you are given the chance to put it behind you. This chance, for Konta, comes at the Australian Open against Tomljanović. With the head-to-head standing at 1-1, it suggests that a close and competitive match is in the offing. Konta has not been working with her current coach Dimitri Zavialoff, long. It's early days in their coach/player relationship, but the chemistry isn't quite there yet.
Johanna Konta has had injury issues already this season
The 2019 tennis season is in its infancy, however, Konta has already had injury problems.
She withdrew twice in Sydney last week with a neck injury. This is after having been handed a lucky loser slot to face Kiki Bertens. Konta has provided assurances that she has already put this injury behind her. However, her next opponent Tomljanović will be mindful of this injury and will look to go wide and have Konta stretching those neck muscles.
Make no bones about it, Konta needs to be on her guard or lightning could easily strike twice.
Konta looking to demonstrate fitness and send out message she is back to her best
Shortly after the Australian Open - comes the return of the Federation Cup to the UK (Bath). It's the first time in more than 25 years that Britain will have the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.
Johanna Konta has been named in the squad and will want the confidence boost of a good Australian Open 2019, going into it. The other British players and the nation itself will be looking to Konta for on-court leadership. Unfortunately, in 2018 this was lacking from the world number 38. Konta will be uber keen to draw a line under 2018 and hit the ground running in 2019. Gaining revenge over Tomljanović would represent a great start. Britain needs Konta back at her best.
