Physical Health versus Ranking - Katie Boulter's Australian Open Dilemma

British Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "pick between my physical health and my professional position" as the scramble carries on for a position in next January's Australian Open main draw.

While the regular WTA Tour season is over, there are still standing points to be gained in Latin American countries, regional locations, various venues and France.

The women's competitor lineup for the first Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be calculated from the international positions of 8 December, which could cause a dilemma for athletes close to the cut.

Physical Setbacks

Previous British leading competitor Boulter experienced an groin injury in her last tournament of the year in international locations last month, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in Angers, the European nation, in the first week of December.

Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the fact she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in the French tournament to enhance her position, means she may probably end up not participating.

Varying Approaches

In opposition, male players are not facing the equivalent situation, as for the premier occasion the men's Australian Open participant roster will be drawn up from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's formal year-end position determination.

The change is intended to deterring competitors from seeking position points during what is essentially the rest interval.

Coaching Changes

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She secured just 14 Tour-level major tournament contests and recently split with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year collaboration in which she captured multiple WTA championships.

"Biljana is an outstanding instructor, and an extremely good individual as well, which produces circumstances extremely hard," Boulter stated.

The quest for a replacement coach is actively progressing, looking for a professional who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 player.

Professional Aspirations

"Progressing with a new coach, an important factor I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be an individual who has considerable knowledge in how to make it to the very top level of this profession," she explained.

"I've been placed as elevated as 23 and I know I can get back to that position. I don't believe my level has diminished, I believe the steadiness should enhance.

"My goal is not merely to be ranked fifty, 40, 30, 20 - we've achieved that. The aim is to be inside the elite group."