Body versus Ranking - Katie Boulter's Australian Open Predicament
Britain's Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "choose between my physical condition and my world standing" as the scramble continues for a position in January's Australian Open primary competition.
While the typical WTA Tour season is completed, there are still position points to be earned in Chile, regional locations, multiple sites and France.
The women's entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be determined by the international positions of 8 December, which could cause a dilemma for athletes close to the cut.
Health Challenges
Former British leading competitor Boulter suffered an hip muscle in her concluding competition of the year in Asian venues last month, and is now evaluating whether to compete in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in European venues, the continental destination, in the first week of December.
Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the situation she would need to win at least three matches in the French tournament to enhance her standing, means she may well ultimately not playing.
Varying Approaches
In comparison, men's competitors are not experiencing the equivalent situation, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open participant roster will be created from current week's positions, which is the ATP's official annual-final ranking date.
The adjustment is intended to discouraging athletes from chasing standing points during what is essentially the break period.
Professional Adjustments
This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She secured just fourteen elite primary competition matches and lately separated with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy partnership in which she secured several WTA victories.
"Biljana is an incredible instructor, and an remarkably good human as well, which creates situations extremely hard," Boulter commented.
The quest for a different trainer is well under way, looking for an individual who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 athlete.
Career Objectives
"Going forward with a different trainer, an important factor I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be someone who has extensive knowledge in how to advance to the very top level of this game," she explained.
"I've been positioned as elevated as 23 and I am confident I can get back to that position. I don't believe my standard has diminished, I believe the reliability should enhance.
"My aim is not merely to be positioned fifty, forty, 30, twenty - we've achieved that. The goal is to be within the top twenty."