Johanna Konta has watched Andy Murray win BBC Sport Personality of the Year three times but never thought she would one day be Britainâs leading tennis contender.
While Murray has endured a disappointing 2017 riddled by injury, Konta enjoyed another stellar season that included finishing number nine in the world and reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
She is among the 12 nominees shortlisted for the BBCâs 63-year-old prize, although rated an outside chance behind the likes of Harry Kane, Lewis Hamilton and clear favourite Anthony Joshua.
Konta was glued to the television when Murray triumphed in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and there was further success for tennis in 2015, when Britainâs Davis Cup squad was named Team of the Year.
âI remember Andy winning it, three of the last four years, and I actually remember the Davis Cup team won the team one,â Konta said.
âI think itâs more Andy that sticks out. But I never thought of me being on it. At that stage I wasnât where I am now with my career.
âI didnât really understand the context of it all or how it worked. So no at the time, I definitely didnât think I it would be me one day.â
Joshuaâs momentous win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April deems him the stand-out name on the list but Hamilton has a strong case too after a fourth world title made him Britainâs most successful Formula 1 driver.
Swimmer Adam Peaty, who broke his own world record twice in one day at the World Aquatic Championships in July, and Tottenhamâs Kane, who grabbed the Premier Leagueâs Golden Boot in May for a second season in a row, might also fancy their chances.
Jonnie Peacock, Elise Christie, Sir Mo Farah, Chris Froome, Jonathan Rea, Anya Shrubsole and Bianca Walkden complete the line-up.
Asked to pick a winner, Konta said: âI actually think, for me, Anthony Joshua or Adam Peaty.
âI do like those two but to be fair, the list is a bit of a joke. For it not to be an Olympic year and to have that much talent, itâs actually been pretty incredible the sport this year.
âIâve essentially grown up watching it â Iâve been watching it since Iâve been here, so I know exactly what it is but I feel kind of removed from it.
âI donât quite understand how Iâm on the list and I know what the show is but it doesnât feel one and the same. It feels exciting. To be among those names feels pretty ridiculous.â