Body or Ranking - Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Dilemma
British Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "choose between my body and my professional position" as the scramble continues for a position in next January's Australian Open main event.
While the regular WTA Tour competitive period is completed, there are still ranking points to be won in South American nations, Argentina, multiple sites and European destinations.
The female entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be determined by the global standings of the December cutoff, which could present a dilemma for competitors approaching the cut.
Injury Concerns
Previous British number one Boulter suffered an groin injury 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 European venues, France, in the first week of December.
The athlete's recent injury, and the reality she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in Angers to boost her ranking, means she may probably end up not competing.
Varying Approaches
In comparison, men's competitors are not experiencing the same dilemma, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from present week's positions, which is the ATP's formal annual-final ranking date.
The adjustment is designed to discouraging competitors from chasing ranking points during what is basically the off-season.
Professional Adjustments
This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She won only 14 professional primary competition matches and lately split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year collaboration in which she captured several WTA championships.
"Biljana is an exceptional instructor, and an exceptionally excellent person as well, which makes things extremely hard," Boulter commented.
The quest for a different coach is well under way, searching for a professional who has elite 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 very clear on is that they are going to be an individual who has extensive expertise in how to succeed to the very top level of this profession," she explained.
"I've been placed as elevated as 23 and I know I can return to that level. I don't think my performance has gone anywhere, I believe the consistency should develop.
"My goal is not simply to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 - we've achieved that. The goal is to be inside the top twenty."