AUSTRALIA sparked a huge diplomatic row last night after its High Commissioner to the UK declared of British tennis star Jo Konta “Great to see an Aussie win”.
The outrageous slur on the 26-year-old came after Eastbourne resident Konta had defeated Romanian Simona Halep.
While Britain celebrated, Australian High Commissioner to the UK Alexander Downer made the appalling remark questioning her nationality.
Messaging from his verified official social media account he jeered: “Great to see an Aussie win!”
The slur could come as something of a blow to Konta who is extremely proud of her British citizenship.
While she was born in Sydney, she was granted it in May 2012 and her game seemed to immediately uplift.
She said the process had made her feel more settled and is incredibly proud to represent the country.
Konta said four years ago: “It was something that I very much wanted out of the way because I have wanted GBR next to my name for a very long time.
“To finally have it is just a pure weight off my shoulders.
“I got to the UK in 2005. When I originally got there, it wasn’t straightaway a decision of ‘Okay, now I’m going to become British’.
“It gradually became a process after spending some time there, getting to know the people who are involved in the organisation.”
Konta has been careful to brush off any suggestions from the Australian sports media she was one of their players.
In the 2016 Oz Open she brushed aside her nickname as “the one that got away” for a commentator.
She stressed: “I feel like [the nickname is] one of those boyfriend talks — ‘Is that the guy that got away?’
“It’s a compliment that you guys would say that, so thank you. But be grateful for what you guys have as well.”
Jo has also had Virgina Wade yesterday backing her Britishness.
The Wimbledon legend said: “The facts are the facts – you can’t change where you are born, but you certainly can become the nationality you choose. Jo has lived here for a long time and she considers herself British.
“John McEnroe was born in Germany but he is very American, so it’s irrelevant. I think we should embrace the performances she’s given us and wish her best for the next couple of matches.”
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But in the meantime, Murray is backing Jo Konta to become the first British woman to win the singles since 1977 and lift the nation’s mood again after his defeat.
Konta will take on five-time champion Venus Williams in the semi-final today.
Murray said: “I hope she goes on to win the tournament.
“She’s certainly got a fantastic chance. I saw quite a lot of the quarter-final.
“She played extremely well under a lot of pressure. If she keeps playing like that, there’s no reason why she can’t do it.”
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