Katie Boulter is prioritizing her physical well-being over a guaranteed spot in the Australian Open main draw, opting to forgo a qualifying tournament appearance to ensure sheS fully fit for the season. The decision follows a recent coaching change, signaling a renewed focus on peak performance as Boulter aims to crack the WTA‘s top 20.
This strategic move comes after a challenging year for the British player, where she secured only 14 Tour-level main-draw match wins. Boulter recently parted ways with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership that yielded three WTA titles. “Biljana is an incredible coach,and an extremely good human as well,which makes things very difficult,” Boulter said. The split was amicable, with both parties agreeing it was “just time.” Boulter emphasized their continued close relationship, stating, “I think we both felt that it was the right thing to do. We’ve accomplished so much together…I’m still going to be spending a lot of time talking to her, I think she’s a huge part of my team irrespective.”
Now,Boulter is actively seeking a new coach with extensive experience guiding players to the highest levels of the game. “Going forward with a new coach, one thing I’m very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of experience in how to make it to the very top level of this game,” she explained. Despite a current ranking outside the top 20 – having previously reached a career-high of 23 – Boulter remains confident in her ability to compete with the world’s elite.
“I’ve been ranked as high as 23 and I know I can get back there. I don’t think my level has gone anywhere, I think the consistency needs to improve,” Boulter stated. “My goal is not to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 – we’ve been there. The goal is to be inside 20.” The decision to prioritize fitness reflects a commitment to achieving that aspiring target, even if it means navigating a potentially more challenging path to entry into the Australian Open.
