Brit Johanna Konta has a big match looming, but the world No.48 still found time to hit with young fans at today’s Kids Tennis Day.
Hundreds of young tennis fans were at the Domain Tennis Centre, where they got to try ANZ Tennis Hot Shots, test the speed of their serve and get their faces painted. Konta and German player Carina Witthoeft spent time hitting with young tennis lovers at the venue. World No.74 Tatjana Maria also took part, joining in the action with her two-year-old daughter.
“It was good fun, I feel like I’ve had a good work out,” Konta said.
“It’s great seeing the kids enjoying tennis. It is a great game to play and whenever we get a chance as tennis players to promote it I think it is an awesome thing.”
Konta now turns her attention to a first round showdown with third seed and fellow Hobart International debutant Dominika Cibulkova. It will be the first meeting between the pair.
“Obviously it is a tough match – not that there is any easy matches. I’m just looking forward to the challenge,” the 24-year-old Brit said.
“It is very early in the year, so it is about getting as many matches as possible and getting back into the routine of things.”
The Sydney-born Konta is competing in Hobart for the first time. This time last year she was lingering around the world’s top 150, but after a stellar finish to her 2015 season she is now ranked inside the top 50. Her charge up the ranks was helped by a fourth round run at the US Open and four top 20 victories late in the season.
Konta is now aiming to build on this in 2016.
“I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am in,” Konta reflected. “I had a lot of matches at the end of last year, a lot of great experiences. I’m obviously looking to make new ones and just keep enjoy doing what I’m doing and staying healthy.”
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