"Very difficult and heartbreaking" says Konta of COVID battle

Johanna Konta contracted COVID-19 at the worst time missing both Wimbledon and the Olympics because of it.

The British player made her return at the National Bank Open in Montreal where she also spoke about the very difficult experience she had with the virus. For Konta missing two huge events was demoralizing especially after she started playing well on Grass but fighting off the virus was even worse.

She explained:

"Definitely the worst illness I've experienced for a very long time. It was very heartbreaking and it was very difficult. There was nothing good and nothing fun about having Covid and having to miss Wimbledon and the Olympics.”

Konta revealed that getting back into competitive shape was very tricky as she wanted to take it slow in order to not to pick up an injury or something else. The Brit explained her process by saying:

"We took it very, very slowly. Then I got my full check, in terms of my heart, my lungs, everything, and everything came back all okay. Then we started doing a little more and here we are."

Konta made her return in Montreal advancing to the 2nd round after Zhang retired while leading 1-0. She will face Elina Svitolina later today in the 2nd round.