Johanna Konta's perfect night out would be watching Bono and scoffing gelato.

The fast-rising British star of the women's tennis circuit says if she owned a house "I would mortgage it to see U2".

Her earnings are soaring as she rises up the rankings.

If her career graph continues, Konta could afford a lavish pad, invite Bono and his fellow band members along and buy lorry loads of Italian-style ice cream - her favourite flavour is nocciola and coffee.

Konta is approaching the clay and grasscourt seasons in the form of her life, a life that has changed dramatically since a comprehensive defeat on centre court against Maria Sharapova in the first round at Wimbledon last summer.

The Eastbourne-based British No.1 and disgraced Russian superstar are heading in different directions now.

Sharapova's career is in meltdown following her shock confession last month that she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

The first Grand Slam event of the season contrastingly confirmed the progress Konta made last season after Wimbledon.

Her breakthrough included a place in the last 16 of the US Open, together with victories over then world No. 2 Simona Halep and No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza.

Konta demonstrated it was not just a passing peak, a fleeting rich vein of form before fading back into the pack, by reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne.

She gave Angelique Kerber a run for her money before losing to the stubborn German, who went on to upset Serena Williams in the final.

Earlier this month, Konta climbed to a career-high ranking of 21 by becoming the first British woman to make the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.

She insisted: "My performance at the Australian Open hasn't changed my belief in myself in any way.

"I've always had confidence in myself and my abilities but I am aware that nothing is guaranteed and so I do my best to keep working hard every time I step out onto the court, as well as keeping myself firmly in the present."

The trappings of success were evident both before and after her run through to the last four Down Under. In December Konta signed with Octagon, the agency responsible for steering the career of former world No.1 Martina Hingis. They also have as a client reigning Eastbourne champion Belinda Bencic.

Konta's exploits in Australia earned her an appearance on the Jonathan Ross show.

She said: "It was an incredible experience, which I am very grateful for. It definitely was very different to any other sort of media I had ever done.

"I'm lucky that Jonathan is such a tennis fan, otherwise I don't think I would have been invited!"

Now it is down to business on a stage she is more comfortable on, irrespective of whether it is clay, grass or man-made materials.

The next Grand Slam, the French Open on the orange courts of Roland Garros in Paris, is just over a month away.

Konta said: "It is still very early in the season and so I am happy that I have been able to play as many matches as I have. I am continuously grateful for being healthy and will continue to do my best to keep myself that way.

"I haven't got a favourite surface. I believe the changes in surface during our season brings excitement to the tour."

There is plenty of excitement ahead for Konta mid-summer and beyond. The Australian-born daughter of Hungarian parents will enjoy home comforts at the Aegon International, the appetiser for Wimbledon, on the lawns of Devonshire Park where she reached the quarter-finals last year.

She said: "I am mostly looking forward to not having to travel by plane and having no time change. Eastbourne is special to me because I get to stay at home, which is rare enough.

"To be able to do that during a tournament is amazing. As for Wimbledon, I cannot wait to be a part of the atmosphere. And to be able to wear my all whites."

After that is the prospect of Rio. "Being in a postion to be considered to represent GB in the Olympics this year is an incredible honour," Konta said. "It will be a completely different vibe and experience."

Konta is extending a rich tradition of Sussex-based women's British No.1's, following in the racquet strings of Julie Salmon, Clare Wood and Julie Pullin.

Men's counterpart Andy Murray also has strong connections with the county. Kim Sears, the Scot's wife and mother of their two-month-old daughter Sophia, was born in the village of Barcombe near Lewes.

Her dad, Nigel, is back coaching Ana Ivanovic after collapsing during the Australian Open. Murray travelled to hospital to be with his father-in-law, who blamed the scare on a bad piece of sushi.

Murray has sent supportive texts in the past to Konta. "Andy is a great person," she said. "And the amount that he has done for tennis in the UK is incredibly inspirational.

"He has always been supportive and is always there to give advice if you need it."

If Konta, still only 24, emulates Murray by winning a Grand Slam then Bono and Italian ice cream manufacturers can expect a call.