Body versus World Standing - Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma
Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "decide between my physical condition and my ranking" as the competition continues for a spot in next January's Australian Open primary competition.
While the typical WTA Tour tournament schedule is completed, there are still standing points to be gained in Chile, neighboring countries, various venues and France.
The female participant roster for the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be determined by the international positions of early December, which could cause a dilemma for competitors approaching the selection threshold.
Physical Setbacks
Former British number one Boulter suffered an groin injury in her last tournament of the year in international locations last month, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 Challenger event in French locations, the European nation, in the initial week of December.
Boulter's current physical issue, and the situation she would need to win at least several wins in the European event to improve her ranking, means she may well eventually not competing.
Contrasting Methods
In contrast, men's competitors are not facing the identical dilemma, as for the first time the male Australian Open participant roster will be drawn up from present week's standings, which is the ATP's standard season-concluding standing calculation.
The modification is aimed at discouraging players from seeking standing points during what is essentially the break period.
Professional Adjustments
This season has been a demanding one for Boulter.
She achieved merely 14 elite main-draw matches and recently split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a extended partnership in which she secured three WTA victories.
"Biljana is an outstanding trainer, and an exceptionally quality individual as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter commented.
The search for a different instructor is currently ongoing, looking for a professional who has elite expertise as Boulter still believes she can be a world-class competitor.
Career Objectives
"Progressing with a new coach, a key aspect I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of expertise in how to make it to the highest echelon of this profession," she stated.
"I've been positioned as high as twenty-three and I know I can get back there. I don't think my level has disappeared, I feel the reliability must enhance.
"My aim is not simply to be ranked 50, forty, 30, twenty - we've been there. The aim is to be within the elite group."