Being British

[porkchop]

Well done to Joanna Konta on her tennis victories. However, one thing i am confused with is how she became British. She is not English, Scottish, Welsh or from N. Ireland. For those who love or hate Scotland's Andy Murray we all all agree that he is British. So, for aspiring young tennis players who are true Brits training hard to improve their ratings it must be galling for them to see yet another athlete claiming Britishness even though they were born elsewhere.

[chelle7272]

She has lived in the UK since she was at school and became a British citizen in 2012, therefore giving her the option to change her nationality. I understand your point but I'm happy to claim her as British!

[Lie-in King]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Konta#Early_and_personal_life

^Para 3

"Konta became a British citizen in May 2012 and concurrently switched her sporting allegiance from Australia to Britain."

I'll add my congratulations to her on reaching the semi-finals :-))

[scooping]

Thought she grew up in Aussie, moved here when in mid-teens, subsequently became a UK citizen. So she grew up in a British Commonwealth country and is a UK citizen. Sounds OK for me.

[scooping]

And I am certain that her British colleagues bare her no ill will whatsoever. What's your problem?

[ludwig]

// one thing i am confused with is how she became British. //

here's a useful link
https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/citizenship

[Hopkirk]

Is Martina Navratilova American?

[aelmpvw]

i never hear people saying john mcenroe is german ...

[woofgang]

well jordyboy in that case you are wrong :)

[gness]

And if that country no longer exists, Jordy.....any bright ideas for that situation?

[ummmm]

What about Cliff Richard and Joanna Lumley. Would you consider them to be not British.

Also...all the children born to military parents abroad?

[Old_Geezer]

One is allowed to adopt citizenship, with permission, but it doesn't change where you originated and so which country you're really from.

[Sqad]

We are just considering sport here and I have some sympathy for the opinion of Jordyboy.
For sporting events in particular, you can only represent your country of birth and if that country is taken over by another country, then you automatically qualify for the newly named country.
Children of the military......can't see the problem......for sport, they represent the country of birth..e.g Belize, or Germany whatever.

[fiction-factory]

I don't think Konta took a British person's place in the team though TWR- players are individuals who qualify for Wimbledon as individuals.

[fiction-factory]

oops, sorry, meant jordyboy not TWR

[Garaman]

I have no problem with anyone who has citizenship representing that country.

[dannyk13]

//Children of the military......can't see the problem......for sport, they represent the country of birth..e.g Belize, or Germany whatever//
Not strictly true.Three of my children were born abroad whilst I was serving in the army.They were automatically given British citizenship so would have been eligible to compete as British.