Physical Health or World Standing - Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma

Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "pick between my body and my ranking" as the competition carries on for a spot in January's Australian Open main event.

While the typical WTA Tour tournament schedule is completed, there are still ranking points to be earned in South American nations, regional locations, various venues and international tournaments.

The women's participant roster for the opening Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be based on the global standings of 8 December, which could create a challenging situation for athletes close to the qualification line.

Health Challenges

Previous British top-ranked player Boulter experienced an hip muscle in her last tournament of the year in international locations last month, and is now evaluating whether to compete in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in French locations, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.

Boulter's current physical issue, and the reality she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in the European event to enhance her ranking, means she may probably end up not playing.

Different Systems

In opposition, male players are not confronting the equivalent dilemma, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open participant roster will be drawn up from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's official annual-final position determination.

The adjustment is designed to discouraging competitors from seeking position points during what is fundamentally the break period.

Training Transitions

This period has been a challenging one for Boulter.

She secured just fourteen professional major tournament contests and lately parted ways with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy partnership in which she won several WTA victories.

"Biljana is an outstanding trainer, and an remarkably good individual as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter said.

The search for a different trainer is well under way, looking for a professional who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 competitor.

Career Objectives

"Going forward with a replacement instructor, a key aspect I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be someone who has considerable knowledge in how to advance to the very top level of this profession," she said.

"I've been ranked as advanced as twenty-three and I know I can return to that level. I don't believe my performance has diminished, I feel the reliability needs to develop.

"My goal is not to be placed fifty, forty, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The aim is to be inside the top twenty."