Sport : Tennis

KONTA HANDED WIMBLEDON WILD CARD

18th June 2012, 11:46am

Johanna Konta: Wimbledon wild card

Johanna Konta: Wimbledon wild card

Johanna Konta has been awarded a wild card into Wimbledon, just weeks after transferring her allegiance to Great Britain.

The Australian-born 21-year-old became a British citizen in May and is now free to represent GB.

Ranked 214th in the world, Konta is currently the British number five.

As expected, rising stars Heather Watson and Laura Robson have also been handed wild cards, as has fellow Briton Noami Broady.

Virginie Razzano and Yaroslava Shvedova have both been rewarded for their efforts at the recent French Open with places in the main draw.

Razzano stunned title favourite Serena Williams in the first round in Paris, while Shvedova ousted defending champion Li Na during a surprise run to the last eight.

In the men's draw, David Goffin is similarly rewarded after reaching the fourth round in Paris as a lucky loser.

The Belgian lost in the final round of qualifying but got into the French Open after a late withdrawal. He made the most of his second chance, winning three matches before losing in four sets to Roger Federer.

The other men's wild cards are shared between Britons and veterans.

James Ward, Jamie Baker, Josh Goodall and US Open junior champion Oliver Golding will all represent the host nation.

The 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt and the former world number two Tommy Haas, now 34, also receive wild cards.

Tournament organisers have one more wild card available for the men's singles and two more in the ladies' draw. They will be handed out later this week.

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