Body versus Ranking - Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma
Britain's Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my body and my professional position" as the competition carries on for a spot in next January's Australian Open main draw.
While the typical WTA Tour season is over, there are still position points to be gained in Chile, regional locations, multiple sites and France.
The women's competitor lineup for the opening Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the world rankings of the December cutoff, which could cause a challenging situation for players near the qualification line.
Health Challenges
Ex- British number one Boulter experienced an abductor in her last tournament of the year in international locations last timeframe, and is now weighing up whether to participate in the WTA 125 development competition in European venues, the continental destination, in the first week of December.
The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to secure at least three matches in the European event to improve her position, means she may likely eventually not participating.
Varying Approaches
In contrast, men's competitors are not confronting the same situation, as for the first time the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be established from this week's positions, which is the ATP's formal season-concluding standing calculation.
The modification is designed to preventing athletes from chasing ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.
Training Transitions
This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She achieved merely fourteen Tour-level major tournament contests and recently parted ways with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she secured three WTA championships.
"Biljana is an incredible instructor, and an remarkably quality person as well, which makes things particularly challenging," Boulter stated.
The pursuit for a different trainer is currently ongoing, seeking an individual who has high-level background as Boulter still believes she can be a elite-level competitor.
Professional Aspirations
"Progressing with a different trainer, a key aspect I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be an individual who has a lot of expertise in how to advance to the very top level of this profession," she explained.
"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I know I can get back there. I am not convinced my level has diminished, I feel the consistency needs to improve.
"My goal is not simply to be ranked 50, forty, 30, twenty - we've accomplished that. The goal is to be within the top twenty."