Home favourite Johanna Konta hopes to return to training on Sunday after hurting her back during a fall at the Eastbourne International.
The world No.7 slipped over during the closing stages of her quarter-final clash against Barbora Strycova earlier in the week, but managed to complete the match. It is understood that the impact of her fall onto the surface sparked the injury issue. On Friday she withdrew from her semifinal clash with Caroline Wozniacki due to a ‘thoracic spine injury.’ The thoracic region refers to the upper and middle part of the back.
“I obviously had a bit of a nasty fall yesterday (Thursday),” Konta said. “So I made the decision [to withdraw] based on the fact that I’m quite sore through my thoracic spine and just basically looking to make sure that I recover in the best way possible.”
Konta’s setback occurs just days before she begins her Wimbledon campaign. She will be seeded sixth in the tournament, making her the highest ranked female British player at the tournament since Virginia Wade in 1979. Earlier in the week she also became the first woman from her country to defeat a number one player for 38 years after her triumph over Angelique Kerber.
Providing further details about her form, Konta’s representative said she hopes to return to training on Sunday, the eve of the tournament. Her first round match will be against Hsieh Su-Wei, who won the 2013 Wimbledon doubles title.
‘We are seeking medical advice and monitoring the situation closely. Johanna is hoping to return to practice on Sunday and will assess the situation further at that point.’ A statement reads.
In previous years, SW19 was a place of nightmares for the Brit. Since her debut, Konta has only managed to win one main draw match in the tournament, which was last year. It is her second worst performing grand slam after the French Open, where she is yet to win a match at.
Video of the fall
#ICYMI 🎾| Johanna Konta’s big Thursday:
Beats French Open Champion
Recovers from this fall 💥
Beats World Number 1 pic.twitter.com/Oo1ch2euxV— William Hill Betting (@WilliamHill) 30 June 2017
