Johanna Konta Makes Major Changes in Her Team After Losing at Italian Open 2020

British player Johanna Konta was ousted from the Italian Open 2020 by Garbine Muguruza of Spain. The 29-year-old failed to offer any resistance against Muguruza’s onslaught, losing the match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.

Following the defeat, Johanna Konta and her coach Thomas Hogstedt parted ways. Hogstedt has coached some great names on the circuit. However, he failed to make an impact on Konta’s game. Ultimately, Konta opted to part ways with him.

It is important for a player and coach to bond and make the partnership work. If the amalgamation fails to produce positive results then it’s better to look at something different in a coach. Konta disclosed the development via a tweet.

‘Things have to match up, you have to be able to bring the best out of each other and we just didn’t feel that it was going to be a good fit.’

Johanna Konta struggled in the recent past

The disappointment in the results that their partnership was producing was in the making long before her loss in the Italian Open. A series of losses she has suffered of late contributed towards it.

Konta displayed some real intent in the Western and Southern Open. She had set up a semifinal clash against Victoria Azarenka after defeating Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals. Having started off spectacularly by winning the first set, she lost her rhythm as the match proceeded. She ultimately lost the match 6-4, 4-6, 1-6.

The streak continued in the US Open 2020. Facing Sorana Cirstea in the second round of the Grand Slam, she repeated the Cincinnati performance. She took the first set but lost the next two and bowed out of the event.

Konta started the Italian Open gracefully. Defeating Irina Camelia Begu, she set up a third-round clash with Garbine Muguruza. This time around, however, the defeat and early exit compelled her to terminate the partnership with her coach. It will be interesting to watch whom she appoints as her coach next.