Body or Ranking - Katie Boulter's Melbourne Grand Slam Predicament

Tennis player Katie Boulter
Katie Boulter has fallen from 23rd place to 100th spot in the world rankings in the current season

British Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "pick between my physical health and my professional position" as the competition persists for a place in next January's Australian Open main event.

While the standard WTA Tour tournament schedule is completed, there are still standing points to be gained in Latin American countries, Argentina, various venues and France.

The women's competitor lineup for the opening Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the global standings of early December, which could create a difficult choice for competitors approaching the selection threshold.

Health Challenges

Former British top-ranked player Boulter suffered an abductor in her last tournament of the year in Hong Kong last period, and is now considering whether to participate in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.

The athlete's recent injury, and the situation she would need to secure at least multiple victories in the French tournament to boost her ranking, means she may likely eventually not competing.

Different Systems

In opposition, men's competitors are not facing the same predicament, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open participant roster will be established from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's standard season-concluding position determination.

The change is intended to deterring players from seeking position points during what is essentially the off-season.

Coaching Changes

This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She secured just fourteen elite main-draw games and currently separated with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year working relationship in which she captured three WTA victories.

"Biljana is an incredible trainer, and an exceptionally quality individual as well, which makes things particularly challenging," Boulter commented.

The pursuit for a replacement coach is actively progressing, looking for an individual who has top-tier background as Boulter still believes she can be a elite-level athlete.

Future Goals

"Progressing with a new coach, one thing I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be someone who has considerable experience in how to succeed to the highest echelon of this sport," she explained.

"I've been placed as elevated as 23 and I believe I can climb back to that level. I am not convinced my standard has gone anywhere, I think the steadiness needs to improve.

"My objective is not simply to be positioned fifty, forty, thirty, twenty - we've been there. The aim is to be inside 20."

Steven Morrison
Steven Morrison

Lena is a seasoned mountaineer and outdoor writer with over 15 years of experience scaling peaks across Europe and Asia.