Body versus World Standing - Katie Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Dilemma

Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "decide between my physical health and my world standing" as the competition persists for a place in January's Australian Open primary competition.

While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still position points to be earned in Latin American countries, neighboring countries, Ecuador and international tournaments.

The women's participant roster for the opening Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the international positions of the December cutoff, which could create a difficult choice for athletes near the qualification line.

Physical Setbacks

Ex- British top-ranked player Boulter tore an groin injury in her concluding competition of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in Angers, France, in the initial week of December.

The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to secure at least several wins in Angers to boost her ranking, means she may well eventually not participating.

Contrasting Methods

In comparison, male players are not experiencing the same situation, as for the first time the men's Australian Open participant roster will be drawn up from present week's positions, which is the ATP's formal year-end standing calculation.

The change is designed to deterring players from seeking ranking points during what is fundamentally the break period.

Coaching Changes

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She achieved merely 14 Tour-level primary competition matches and currently separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year working relationship in which she captured multiple WTA titles.

"Biljana is an incredible trainer, and an extremely excellent person as well, which makes things extremely hard," Boulter stated.

The search for a different trainer is currently ongoing, seeking someone who has top-tier experience as Boulter still believes she can be a elite-level competitor.

Future Goals

"Going forward with a new coach, an important factor I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be someone who has extensive expertise in how to succeed to the highest echelon of this profession," she explained.

"I've been ranked as elevated as 23 and I am confident I can climb back to that position. I don't think my level has disappeared, I feel the steadiness should develop.

"My aim is not to be placed 50, 40, 30, 20 - we've accomplished that. The goal is to be among the top twenty."