Body versus World Standing - Boulter's Australian Open Predicament
Britain's Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "pick between my physical health and my ranking" as the scramble carries on for a place in next January's Australian Open main event.
While the standard WTA Tour tournament schedule is finished, there are still position points to be earned in Latin American countries, regional locations, multiple sites and international tournaments.
The women's participant roster for the initial Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be determined by the international positions of 8 December, which could create a challenging situation for players close to the cut.
Health Challenges
Ex- British top-ranked player Boulter suffered an hip muscle in her final event of the year in international locations last timeframe, and is now evaluating whether to compete in the WTA 125 development competition in Angers, the European nation, in the initial week of December.
Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to win at least several wins in the French tournament to enhance her standing, means she may well eventually not playing.
Varying Approaches
In comparison, men's competitors are not facing the equivalent dilemma, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open participant roster will be established from this week's rankings, which is the ATP's official annual-final ranking date.
The change is aimed at discouraging players from pursuing position points during what is fundamentally the break period.
Professional Adjustments
This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She secured just fourteen elite primary competition games and currently split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy collaboration in which she captured multiple WTA titles.
"Biljana is an exceptional coach, and an extremely good human as well, which makes things particularly challenging," Boulter said.
The search for a different trainer is actively progressing, seeking an individual who has top-tier background as Boulter still believes she can be a top-20 competitor.
Career Objectives
"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, one thing I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be a professional who has a lot of knowledge in how to succeed to the highest echelon of this game," she stated.
"I've been placed as high as 23 and I believe I can return to that position. I don't think my level has disappeared, I believe the steadiness should enhance.
"My goal is not simply to be ranked 50, 40, 30, twenty - we've achieved that. The objective is to be inside 20."