Johanna Konta has watched Andy Murray win BBC Sport Personality of the Year three times but never thought she would one day be Britain’s leading tennis contender.
While Murray has endured a disappointing 2017 riddled by injury, Konta enjoyed another stellar season that included finishing number nine in the world and reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
She is among the 12 nominees shortlisted for the BBC’s 63-year-old prize, although rated an outside chance behind the likes of Harry Kane, Lewis Hamilton and clear favourite Anthony Joshua.
Konta was glued to the television when Murray triumphed in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and there was further success for tennis in 2015, when Britain’s Davis Cup squad was named Team of the Year.
“I remember Andy winning it, three of the last four years, and I actually remember the Davis Cup team won the team one,” Konta said.
“I think it’s more Andy that sticks out. But I never thought of me being on it. At that stage I wasn’t where I am now with my career.
“I didn’t really understand the context of it all or how it worked. So no at the time, I definitely didn’t think I it would be me one day.”
“My family shared their dream with me. They lived my dream.” 🎾
Watch @JoKonta91‘s heartwarming story of her rise to the top on this Thursday’s @clarebalding Show at 8pm 📺 pic.twitter.com/VJH8jDC3xM
— BT Sport (@btsport) November 29, 2017
Joshua’s momentous win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April deems him the stand-out name on the list but Hamilton has a strong case too after a fourth world title made him Britain’s most successful Formula 1 driver.
Swimmer Adam Peaty, who broke his own world record twice in one day at the World Aquatic Championships in July, and Tottenham’s Kane, who grabbed the Premier League’s Golden Boot in May for a second season in a row, might also fancy their chances.
Jonnie Peacock, Elise Christie, Sir Mo Farah, Chris Froome, Jonathan Rea, Anya Shrubsole and Bianca Walkden complete the line-up.
Asked to pick a winner, Konta said: “I actually think, for me, Anthony Joshua or Adam Peaty.
“I do like those two but to be fair, the list is a bit of a joke. For it not to be an Olympic year and to have that much talent, it’s actually been pretty incredible the sport this year.
“I’ve essentially grown up watching it – I’ve been watching it since I’ve been here, so I know exactly what it is but I feel kind of removed from it.
“I don’t quite understand how I’m on the list and I know what the show is but it doesn’t feel one and the same. It feels exciting. To be among those names feels pretty ridiculous.”
