Body or Ranking - Katie Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Dilemma
British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "decide between my physical condition and my professional position" as the scramble persists for a place in next January's Australian Open main draw.
While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is completed, there are still position points to be gained in Latin American countries, Argentina, multiple sites and France.
The female entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the international positions of 8 December, which could cause a dilemma for players near the cut.
Physical Setbacks
Previous British top-ranked player Boulter tore an abductor in her concluding competition of the year in international locations last timeframe, and is now considering whether to play in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in French locations, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.
The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to secure at least multiple victories in the French tournament to improve her position, means she may probably ultimately not playing.
Varying Approaches
In contrast, men's competitors are not facing the same predicament, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open entry list will be established from current week's rankings, which is the ATP's formal year-end position determination.
The change is designed to deterring competitors from seeking position points during what is essentially the rest interval.
Training Transitions
This year has been a demanding one for Boulter.
She won only 14 Tour-level main-draw games and recently parted ways with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy working relationship in which she secured three WTA victories.
"Biljana is an exceptional instructor, and an extremely quality person as well, which creates situations very difficult," Boulter commented.
The pursuit for a different instructor is actively progressing, searching for a professional who has high-level experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a elite-level competitor.
Career Objectives
"Progressing with a replacement instructor, one thing I'm very clear on is that they are going to be an individual who has considerable knowledge in how to advance to the peak performance of this sport," she stated.
"I've been placed as advanced as 23 and I know I can get back to that level. I don't believe my performance has gone anywhere, I believe the consistency must enhance.
"My goal is not to be ranked fifty, 40, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The goal is to be inside 20."