Body or World Standing - Katie Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma
British Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "pick between my physical health and my world standing" as the competition continues for a spot in January's Australian Open primary competition.
While the regular WTA Tour season is completed, there are still position points to be won in South American nations, regional locations, various venues and European destinations.
The women's 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 difficult choice for athletes near the cut.
Physical Setbacks
Ex- British number one Boulter tore an abductor in her last tournament of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now weighing up whether to participate in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in French locations, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.
Boulter's recent injury, and the situation she would need to win at least several wins in the European event to boost her position, means she may probably end up not participating.
Varying Approaches
In comparison, men's competitors are not confronting the identical predicament, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open entry list will be established from present week's standings, which is the ATP's formal annual-final position determination.
The modification is aimed at deterring competitors from chasing standing points during what is essentially the break period.
Coaching Changes
This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She achieved merely fourteen elite major tournament matches and currently separated with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she captured three WTA titles.
"Biljana is an incredible instructor, and an exceptionally good person as well, which creates situations very difficult," Boulter said.
The quest for a replacement instructor is well under way, searching for an individual who has top-tier background as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 competitor.
Professional Aspirations
"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, an important factor I'm very clear on is that they are going to be a professional who has a lot of expertise in how to succeed to the peak performance of this sport," she stated.
"I've been placed as advanced as 23 and I believe I can get back there. I am not convinced my performance has disappeared, I feel the steadiness needs to develop.
"My aim is not simply to be positioned fifty, forty, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The aim is to be among 20."