Body or Ranking - Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Predicament
British Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "pick between my physical health and my ranking" as the race carries on for a place in the upcoming January Australian Open primary competition.
While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still ranking points to be earned in South American nations, Argentina, various venues and international tournaments.
The women's participant roster for the initial Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be calculated from the world rankings of the December cutoff, which could present a challenging situation for competitors near the selection threshold.
Physical Setbacks
Ex- British number one Boulter tore an groin injury in her final event of the year in international locations last period, and is now considering whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in French locations, the European nation, in the opening days of December.
Boulter's current physical issue, and the reality she would need to win at least multiple victories in the European event to boost her position, means she may well eventually not participating.
Varying Approaches
In comparison, men's competitors are not confronting the identical situation, as for the first time the men's Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from present week's standings, which is the ATP's standard year-end standing calculation.
The modification is designed to discouraging competitors from pursuing ranking points during what is essentially the break period.
Training Transitions
This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She secured just 14 Tour-level main-draw contests and currently parted ways with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy collaboration in which she captured multiple WTA victories.
"Biljana is an outstanding coach, and an extremely quality person as well, which produces circumstances particularly challenging," Boulter said.
The search for a different trainer is currently ongoing, looking for someone who has top-tier expertise as Boulter maintains the belief she can be a top-20 athlete.
Professional Aspirations
"Progressing with a different trainer, an important factor I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be a professional who has considerable knowledge in how to make it to the highest echelon of this game," she stated.
"I've been positioned as high as 23 and I am confident I can get back there. I am not convinced my level has gone anywhere, I feel the steadiness must develop.
"My objective is not to be ranked fifty, forty, 30, twenty - we've accomplished that. The goal is to be within the top twenty."