'Disrespectful': Journo's 'truly horrific' question stuns Wimbledon star
Johanna Konta's often tetchy relationship with Britain's tennis media corps has turned sour again as she accused them of "picking on me" after her quarter-final loss to Czech Barbora Strycova at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old raised home hopes when she powered into a 4-1 lead against the unseeded Strycova but things turned ugly as she slumped to a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 Centre Court defeat.
While the 33-year-old Strycova played impressively to outsmart the 18th seed, Konta was the architect of her own downfall as she blazed 34 unforced errors against an opponent who simply had too much guile.
The outcome ended Britain's hopes of a first women's singles champion here since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Considering Konta is a three-time grand slam semi-finalist with a career-high ranking of four and was a clear favourite for Tuesday's match, it did not seem unreasonable for her to be asked whether she could have performed better.
Perhaps the pressure of being Britain's big hope in the absence of Andy Murray from the singles had gotten to her, but Konta was in no mood for negativity.
"Is that in your professional tennis opinion?" she snapped during a post-match news conference.
"Okay. I mean, I don't think you need to pick on me in a harsh way. I think I'm very open with you guys. I say how I feel out there. If you don't want to accept that answer or you don't agree with it, that's fine.
"I still believe in the tennis I play. I believe in the way I competed. I don't have much else to say to your question."
Pushed further, she said: "Please don't patronise me...
"No, no, you are. In the way you're asking your question, you're being quite disrespectful and you're patronising me.
"I'm a professional competitor who did her best today, and that's all there is to that."
The journalist’s questions divided opinion among tennis fans and journos, with many slamming him while others thought they were reasonable.
Which arrogant dickhead journalist asked Konta this question? It’s astonishing. What a truly horrific way to treat somebody who’s tried their hardest at a professional sport. What an actual prick. https://t.co/Y4nPx0opFx
— James Smythe (@jpsmythe) July 9, 2019
Was Jo Konta really being patronised by being asked serious, reasonable questions about a very poor performance? Not really. Did she expect to be showered in praise?
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) July 9, 2019
If you don't agree with the take that an interview subject is hard selling you, nothing wrong with challenging it. The manner in which it was done today, however, was... unideal. #Wimbledon
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 9, 2019
Who was it that asked the questions?? The questions themselves were poorly worded. But she was totally right as the tone and the manner in which she was not even asked but interrogated is out of order. There’s a way of asking or making a point and that’s not how...
— Stu Palmer (@stupalmer7) July 9, 2019
For once I agree with Konta, that is a patronising line of questioning.
— Daniel Cox (@danielcox194) July 9, 2019
Seriously. Would the ‘journalist’ have asked a male competitor that question in that tone? @JohannaKonta was 100% right - it was patronising and belittling. Have some respect. #konta #wimbledon #Wimbledon19
— Joanna Birdie Peters (@birdiejojo) July 9, 2019
Jo Konta putting that journalist well and truly in his place
— Kevin Gallacher (@ktg64) July 9, 2019
The dude that was downright rude and disrespectful to Konta in the post match interview today needs to calm down #Wimbledon
— Megan L Paterson (@MeganLPaterson) July 9, 2019
Here's the video of Konta's presser.
Worth contextualizing that the key exchange, as overly aggressive and patronizing as it was, probably stemmed from frustration at the "no regrets" mantra Konta repeated after squandering leads both here and in Paris.https://t.co/l00yuVbAFZ— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 9, 2019
Konta’s heartbreak
Konta had reached her second Wimbledon quarter-final with impressive victories over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
Despite losing her only previous match with Strycova it still seemed an inviting route to a semi-final date with Serena Williams but for the second grand slam in a row an unseeded Czech proved her undoing.
With a first grand slam final beckoning in the French Open semi-finals last month, Konta lost 7-5 7-6 to teenager Marketa Vondrousova, blowing 5-3 leads in both sets.
Konta remains convinced, however, that she will end Britain's long wait for a successor to Wade.
"I think the best I can do is put myself in the positions, to give myself the opportunity to keep going further and further. I mean, it will either happen or it won't," she said.
"I'm no less of a person or a player if I don't get past this point. Equally so if I do.
"I play this game with dignity, and I love the sport. I'm grateful for everything that it brings me."
Konta has fallen out with the British media before.
After her fourth successive French Open first-round defeat last year, she appeared to blame the loss on reporters.
"If every time you went in to work, let's say you went into work because..., and let's say for a few years your pieces of writing have just been crap every time when you come into Roland Garros. Right? Just crap.
"Then your colleagues start to say, 'You know, you really suck around that time.' And that happens, you know, for a few years. How would you guys digest that?"
with AAP
