Johanna Konta splits from coach after just 10 months and calls time on season with foot injury :-: Metro
Johanna Konta has split with coach Wim Fissette after just 10 months together, while calling time on her season due to a foot injury.
Novak Djokovic speaks out on chasing Roger Federer's Grand Slam record
The British No. 1 enjoyed another fine year and under the Belgian coach’s supervision, she reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and won the Miami Open.
However, after a disappointing end to 2017, she was pipped to the WTA Finals in Singapore by France’s Caroline Garcia and the Brit has now decided to change her team once more.
Fissette had previously worked with Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka and guided the 26-year-old to a career-high world No. 4 in July.
But the pair have now split amicably.
‘After careful thought and discussion, Wim Fissette and I have mutually decided to end our working relationship,’ she said in a statement.
‘Things ended very amicably and I wish Wim all the best. We’ve achieved a lot together and I want to thank him for all his patience, hard work and expertise.
‘I will be working with my team over the coming weeks to find the right way forward for me and my tennis.
‘The goal is to get a new coach or coaches in place as soon as possible but the focus will be on making the right decision rather than a quick decision.
‘I feel very excited and optimistic about the future and very committed to improving and becoming the best tennis player that I can be.’
Konta surprisingly split with previous coach Esteban Carril after breaking into the top-10 in 2016 but her upward trend continued with Fissette up until Wimbledon.
More: Tennis
Since losing to Venus Williams in the semi-final, however, she has won just two matches and she will not travel to Singapore as an alternate, nor will she compete in the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai – a round-robin tournament for players just outside of the top-eight.
‘My foot is improving but it is still advisable to rest it further so unfortunately I will not be travelling to Singapore or to the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai,’ Konta added.
‘Both are amazing events and I will really miss being part of them but I want to make sure that I am fully fit to start preparations for what I hope will be an exciting 2018 season.’
MORE: Maria Sharapova ready for long-term Serena Williams rivalry ahead of 2018 return