Body versus Ranking - Katie Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Dilemma

Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "decide between my body and my ranking" as the race persists for a spot in next January's Australian Open main draw.

While the standard WTA Tour tournament schedule is completed, there are still ranking points to be gained in Chile, neighboring countries, Ecuador and France.

The women's competitor lineup for the initial Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be based on the international positions of the December cutoff, which could cause a difficult choice for athletes approaching the qualification line.

Injury Concerns

Ex- British number one Boulter tore an abductor in her last tournament of the year in Asian venues last period, and is now considering whether to play in the WTA 125 Challenger event in European venues, the continental destination, in the first week of December.

Boulter's current physical issue, and the situation she would need to secure at least several wins in the French tournament to boost her position, means she may likely ultimately not playing.

Different Systems

In opposition, male players are not facing the same situation, as for the premier occasion the men's Australian Open entry list will be created from this week's positions, which is the ATP's official season-concluding position determination.

The change is aimed at discouraging athletes from pursuing ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.

Coaching Changes

This year has been a demanding one for Boulter.

She won only fourteen Tour-level main-draw games and lately split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a extended partnership in which she won three WTA championships.

"Biljana is an incredible instructor, and an remarkably good human as well, which makes things very difficult," Boulter said.

The pursuit for a new instructor is currently ongoing, seeking someone who has high-level experience as Boulter maintains the belief she can be a world-class player.

Professional Aspirations

"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, an important factor I'm very clear on is that they are going to be an individual who has extensive experience in how to succeed to the very top level of this profession," she stated.

"I've been ranked as high as twenty-three and I know I can climb back to that position. I don't believe my standard has gone anywhere, I believe the consistency needs to enhance.

"My goal is not to be placed fifty, 40, thirty, twenty - we've accomplished that. The objective is to be among the elite group."