Andy Murray backs Johanna Konta for Grand Slam glory

Andy Murray believes Johanna Konta may never get a better chance to win a Grand Slam title than in 2017.

With the future of Serena Williams uncertain, following the news of her pregnancy, Murray says opportunity knocks for Britain's leading female tennis player.

The reigning Wimbledon champion says Konta's best chances of a major triumph this season will be on the hard courts of New York or the grass of SW19, rather than Paris clay.

The 25-year-old Sydney-born player is currently the world No 7 and Murray said: "Right now the women's game is very open, with Serena being out for the foreseeable future, which makes it very exciting for a lot of the top women.

"No one's sure who's going to step up in her absence and Jo obviously has a chance.

"Clay maybe isn't her favourite surface but on the hard courts and the grass there's no reason why she can't be right up there competing for the biggest tournaments, and therefore the top spots in the rankings.

No one's sure who's going to step up in Serena's absence and Jo obviously has a chance

"It's a big few months coming up for her."

And Murray also praised two British male players for their progress in recent months.

Speaking about Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans, Murray added: "Both of them have done great.

"Dan personally for me is more unexpected than Kyle. He's always had the ability and it's great he's now showing that at the highest level and on a consistent basis.

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"Kyle's improving all the time as well. I spoke to Rafa [Nadal] about him after he played him in Monte Carlo and he said he should easily be top 20 if he keeps working hard. That's positive when you hear that from someone like him.

"Also, Aljaz Bedene has been playing very well too and is right up there again, so there's a lot of positive things happening on the men's side."