Wimbledon semi-finalist Johanna Konta insists: I’m British
The British number one was born in Australia to Hungarian parents but has lived almost half of her life in the UK.
Tennis star Johanna Konta has insisted she is a British athlete after her nationality was questioned by BBC presenter John Humphrys.
On BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the veteran interviewer asked Ms Konta: “So, what are you?” after he got the country of her birth wrong.
Mr Humphrys said: “We talk about you as being British, but you were born in Hungary, Australian citizenship, and I seem to remember that the Australian high commissioner, when you won the quarter-final, said: ‘Great to see an Aussie win’, and we were saying: ‘Great to see a Brit win’ – so, what are you?”
Ms Konta laughed before replying: “I was actually born in Australia to Hungarian parents, but I have lived half my life here now, almost. So, I’m a British citizen, and I’m incredibly proud to represent Great Britain. I have done so officially since 2012.
“But, definitely, I have personally since 2005 when I moved here. I have also represented Great Britain at the Olympics, so I’m definitely a British athlete.”
Ms Konta was knocked out of Wimbledon by Venus Williams after becoming the first British woman to reach the semi-finals for 39 years.
Mr Humphrys’ tone in the interview drew some sharp criticism on social media.
