Johanna Konta hoping new coach Michael Joyce can help deliver Grand Slam success
Wednesday 13 December 2017 19:37, UK
Johanna Konta says new coach Michael Joyce has been hired to guide her closer to winning a first Grand Slam title.
Joyce, who is best known for coaching five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, was confirmed as the British No 1's new coach last week.
He succeeds Wim Fissette who split with Konta in October following four consecutive defeats in a disappointing end to the 2017 season.
The defending Miami Open champion says part of Joyce's remit is to help manage her schedule so she can peak in the four Grand Slam tournaments.
"I think I definitely lost my way a bit with that in the second half of the season," said Konta.
"I think I'm at my strongest when I'm clear on the direction I want to go in and the improvement I want to see happening.
"I like to think with each step I take and experience I go through I become better equipped to play for major titles. Working with Michael is a step in that direction.
"He fits well into what I need and I'm looking forward to building a long-lasting working relationship with him. He definitely has a lot of things I can bring to my game."
The 44-year-old American, who reached a career-high ranking of 64 in his playing days, will be present in Konta's camp for the opening tournament of the new campaign in Brisbane, starting on December 31.
"There are certain values that if I'm ever hiring someone for a role I need to make sure they are aligned to the same things as me," she said.
"That's only ever going to be a first step and Michael passed with flying colours. As a man he seems like a great guy and I'm enjoying him spending time with me and the team.
"He brings so much experience as a coach and player. He was a former player himself, and a very good one at that, so the combination of those things is very valuable and important to me."
Konta's hitting partner Andrew Fitzpatrick also left her team to join US Open champion Sloane Stephens' coaching set-up.
"Andrew [Fitzpatrick] and I had a good relationship and still do," she said. "It was a natural expiration of that relationship as well. It was just time to have a different set-up."
Konta, who recently tweeted out her application to Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off, says she would love to be part of the TV show but would prioritise winning a tennis major above it.
"That did happen, it was real. I don't joke about baking!" Konta said when asked about the tweet.
"I haven't heard back although I think it would be difficult to schedule with my commitments if I did make it through.
"But if they would have me I'd definitely love to do it. Just - no offence to the Bake Off - but I would rather win a Slam, although the prestige is probably similar for both."
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