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As Katie Boulter tries to regain her position in the world rankings, she has turned to a former Maria Sharapova coach.

Michael Joyce, 52, has joined Boulter in Auckland, where the former British number one will receive a wildcard for the ASB Classic’s upcoming week.

If neither of the two has a change of heart during New Zealand or the Australian Open this month, the two have agreed terms for the remainder of the year.

When Sharapova won the US Open and the Australian Open, Joyce joined her for six years as Sharapova’s team’s representative.

He was the best known for his coaching prowess, but he also had a career high of 64 as a player.

Following a three-year partnership that resulted in three WTA titles for her, Boulter and Biljana Veselinovic split late last year.

The 29-year-old is currently the world’s top 40 after falling out of the top 100.

Since winning her final competition at the highest level last year in Hong Kong, Boulter has only won three tournament matches.

So she simply missed out on a major tournament spot. Without enough withdrawals, she will need to qualify for Melbourne Park and become the third alternate.

Boulter made it clear in an interview with BBC Sport in November that there is still much she wishes to accomplish.

One thing I’m very clear about when working with a new coach is that they will be someone with a lot of experience in how to compete at the very top of this game, she said.

“I’ve been given a 23 and I know I can get back there.” My level is not at its lowest point, but I believe consistency needs to increase.

” My goal is not to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 – we’ve been there. The objective is to be “inside 20.”

Boulter praised 2026 as “the best year of her life,” saying that she will marry Australia’s seventh-ranked Alex de Minaur.

And she made it clear that she won’t be mourning the recent anniversity.

The trainer of Mill Reef, who won the 1971 Epsom Derby, died at the age of 87, Ian Balding.

In his amateur jockeying career, Balding, the father of television broadcaster Clare, won the 1963 Cheltenham Festival’s National Hunt Chase on Time.

However, he excelled as a trainer, and his Kingsclere yard in Newbury produced numerous Group One winners, most notably Mill Reef, Selkirk, Lochsong, and Glint of Gold.

His son Andrew, who is now a multiple Classic-winning trainer, received the license in 2002 after he retired.

Park House Stables expressed regret over the passing of Ian Balding in a post on Instagram.

A fantastic sportsman, a successful racehorse trainer, and a wonderful family man.

“He will be greatly missed by Park House staff.”

His daughter Clare, who has covered seven Olympic games for BBC for her career, wrote on Instagram: “My Dad was one of a kind. He was a great trainer, a beautiful horseman, and a fearless, funny, and endearing horseman.

He probably cherished his family, his dogs, and his horses, according to him.

Within the next 24 hours after Johnson finished completing his paperwork for his move to another city on Friday, Palace are expected to make the signing of the Wales international.

Bournemouth were interested in signing the 24-year-old after they were interested in replacing Antoine Semenyo, who had previously attracted interest from Manchester City.

Johnson was persuaded to relocate to Selhurst Park after discussions with Palace boss Oliver Glasner on Thursday.

Johnson’s arrival will surpass the club’s record transfer fee, surpassing the £27 million the Eagles paid for Christian Benteke from Liverpool in 2016.

The forward scored the winner for Spurs in a £47.5 million deal from Nottingham Forest in 2023, putting an end to their 17-year silverware drought with Europa League success last year.

Johnson scored four goals in 22 appearances for Spurs this season, which was a short start under Thomas Frank’s leadership.