Johanna Konta says she cannot imagine tennis without Andy Murray, as Britain’s top ranking female star paid her respects to the tennis legend, while offering special praise for his role in supporting the women’s game.
The two-time Wimbledon champion, who has been struggling to recover from hip surgery, was overcome by emotion as he made the announcement in Melbourne that this year’s Australian Open could be his final tournament.
Murray, 31, has battled to recover from a chronic hip condition for more than 18 months, and had surgery on his right hip last January before returning to tennis in June.
Reacting to the news, Konta said: "I can't imagine the sport without him to be honest,” reflected Konta. “He has just been there all the time."
Murray's support for women and the women's game was also appreciated by British number one Konta, who said: "There have been so many examples of when he has stood up for us - not just for women's tennis but women in general.
"He has also been blessed with two daughters and I think he's grown up with a really strong female role model with his mum and now his wife is also a strong character so he is surrounded by great, strong women.
"He has put that through in the way he has voiced his opinions and the way he has tackled some questions and issues that have arisen and I think everybody has always been very appreciative of him."
