Body or World Standing - Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Dilemma
British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my physical health and my ranking" as the scramble persists for a place in January's Australian Open main draw.
While the standard WTA Tour tournament schedule is finished, there are still position points to be gained in Latin American countries, neighboring countries, Ecuador and France.
The female entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be calculated from the international positions of the December cutoff, which could create a dilemma for competitors approaching the selection threshold.
Physical Setbacks
Former British number one Boulter suffered an abductor in her final event of the year in international locations last month, and is now evaluating whether to compete in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in Angers, the European nation, in the opening days of December.
The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to win at least three matches in the French tournament to enhance her standing, means she may likely end up not participating.
Different Systems
In opposition, men's competitors are not facing the identical situation, as for the first time the men's Australian Open participant roster will be created from present week's positions, which is the ATP's official season-concluding ranking date.
The change is designed to preventing competitors from seeking ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.
Professional Adjustments
This year has been a challenging one for Boulter.
She secured just fourteen professional primary competition matches and recently separated with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she won three WTA victories.
"Biljana is an outstanding coach, and an extremely good individual as well, which produces circumstances particularly challenging," Boulter commented.
The search for a new coach is currently ongoing, searching for someone who has elite expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 player.
Future Goals
"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, a key aspect I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be an individual who has extensive knowledge in how to succeed to the very top level of this game," she explained.
"I've been ranked as elevated as 23 and I know I can return to that position. I don't think my standard has disappeared, I think the reliability needs to improve.
"My aim is not merely to be placed 50, forty, 30, 20 - we've achieved that. The objective is to be inside the elite group."