New Malden tennis professional Melanie South is planning a year of Grand Slam competition after finishing 2006 ranked in the world's top 200 for singles and doubles.

Since the US Open, South has completed a gruelling schedule of 17 competitions in six different countries. It has seen the British number two hit a career high singles ranking of 166, while two doubles titles have lifted her to 198 in the world in her least favoured discipline.

Her combined efforts mean qualification for a shot at the Australian Open in January is assured with appearances at the French Open, Wimbledon and a return trip to America on the horizon.

It has come on the back of a punishing programme, which has seen her play 37 matches in 67 days while visiting tennis outposts in Scotland, France, Australia and China.

But South has hit back at critics who claim she is playing too much by revealing there will be no let up as she bids to break into the top 150 in 2007.

"Every tournament I have played since the US Open I haven't been defending any ranking points so everything I have been getting has been a bonus," she said.
"People say I'm playing too many matches, but I'm trying to get as many ranking points as possible before I start having to defend them. I had a few first round exits in Autumn and I have had to make up for them by playing more. I want to keep pushing on. My main block of competition comes between May and August, so the more I can play at the beginning of the year the better. Hopefully, I can break the 150 mark by August and see where I go from there."

Melanie has changed doubles partner fives times since long-time colleague Katie O'Brien. And despite the move seeming to have paid off South has not ruled out teaming up with her again.

"You are always looking to find someone you play well with and we just felt we needed a break to freshen things up," she added. "It really put the fun back into things and we have both improved our doubles ranking since, but I'm sure we will play together again."

South is delighted to be leaving the chilly shores of the UK behind her this January.
"To think I'm choosing between going playing in Auckland and Sydney this year compared to last year shows how far I've come," she added.

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