Body versus World Standing - Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma
Britain's Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my physical health and my professional position" as the scramble persists for a spot in the upcoming January Australian Open primary competition.
While the standard WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still standing points to be gained in Latin American countries, Argentina, multiple sites and international tournaments.
The female entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be determined by the world rankings of 8 December, which could cause a difficult choice for players near the selection threshold.
Physical Setbacks
Ex- British number one Boulter suffered an groin injury in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last timeframe, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in French locations, France, in the initial week of December.
Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the situation she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in Angers to improve her ranking, means she may likely end up not participating.
Different Systems
In opposition, male players are not experiencing the same predicament, as for the first time the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from present week's positions, which is the ATP's official year-end ranking date.
The modification is designed to deterring athletes from chasing position points during what is fundamentally the off-season.
Training Transitions
This period has been a demanding one for Boulter.
She secured just 14 professional major tournament matches and recently split with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she captured several WTA titles.
"Biljana is an incredible coach, and an remarkably excellent individual as well, which makes things very difficult," Boulter commented.
The pursuit for a replacement instructor is currently ongoing, looking for someone who has elite experience as Boulter still believes she can be a top-20 player.
Professional Aspirations
"Going forward with a different trainer, a key aspect I'm very clear on is that they are going to be a professional who has extensive experience in how to advance to the peak performance of this profession," she said.
"I've been positioned as advanced as twenty-three and I am confident I can get back to that position. I don't think my standard has disappeared, I think the steadiness must develop.
"My aim is not to be ranked fifty, forty, thirty, 20 - we've achieved that. The goal is to be inside 20."