🔗 Share this article

Britain's Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "decide between my body and my world standing" as the scramble carries on for a position in January's Australian Open main draw.

While the standard WTA Tour competitive period is finished, there are still standing points to be earned in Chile, regional locations, Ecuador and European destinations.

The women's competitor lineup for the initial Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the world rankings of early December, which could create a dilemma for competitors approaching the qualification line.

Physical Setbacks

Previous British top-ranked player Boulter tore an groin injury in her last tournament of the year in Asian venues last period, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 development competition in European venues, the continental destination, in the first week of December.

The athlete's recent injury, and the fact she would need to secure at least several wins in the French tournament to improve her standing, means she may well ultimately not playing.

Different Systems

In contrast, male players are not experiencing the equivalent dilemma, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from present week's standings, which is the ATP's formal year-end position determination.

The change is aimed at deterring athletes from pursuing position points during what is essentially the break period.

Training Transitions

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She achieved merely 14 professional main-draw games and lately separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she captured three WTA championships.

"Biljana is an exceptional trainer, and an extremely quality person as well, which produces circumstances very difficult," Boulter commented.

The search for a different trainer is well under way, seeking a professional who has top-tier background as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 athlete.

Future Goals

"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, an important factor I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be someone who has extensive knowledge in how to succeed to the peak performance of this game," she stated.

"I've been ranked as elevated as twenty-three and I am confident I can return to that level. I am not convinced my standard has disappeared, I believe the consistency needs to develop.

"My goal is not to be placed 50, forty, 30, twenty - we've achieved that. The aim is to be inside 20."