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With the stars of women's tennis competing at the China Open this week, a tournament for the second division of the game in Barnstaple has hardly caused a ripple. But Elena Baltacha admitted she considered playing in the event even though it would have meant a 460-mile dash back to Glasgow so she could be head bridesmaid when her brother, Sergei, gets married on Friday.
Having reached a career high No90 in the world, Baltacha is eager to claim any rankings points she can to rise even higher and that is why she thought about appearing at the low-profile tournament in Devon.
"It's awful to admit," said Baltacha. "But, last week I actually considered playing a few rounds in Barnstaple and then heading up to Glasgow for the wedding. Isn't that bad! What would have happened if I got through to the final? That would have been terrible and family has to come first."
Britain now has three women in the top 100 for the first time in 19 years with Anne Keothavong at No75 and Katie O'Brien at No98. Baltacha's achievement in reaching this level is remarkable given that she was diagnosed with a serious liver disease in 2003 and has also had her career blighted by back and ankle injuries. The 26-year-old said: "What kept me going was the belief that I could crack the 100 and I was good enough to achieve that target. I just had to do it.
"To reach this level you have to be picking up points on a consistent basis and I am healthier than ever when I arrive for tournaments. This is first time in my career I have been able to do almost a full year of tennis and the aim is to kick on and get even higher in the rankings."
If Baltacha can do that, then the rewards are potentially huge. While the elite only play in the most lucrative events on the main WTA Tour, Baltacha spends part of her year on the second-tier ITF circuit, which includes the Barnstaple event.
With an improved ranking, though, she will be able to enter better tournaments next year, offering more points and bigger pay days.
Baltacha has overcome many challenges to get this far and although there are sure to be more ahead, she is not concerned.
She said: "It is my choice as a professional tennis player and living out of a suitcase is just part of the job. I wouldn't change what I do for anything and I am very fortunate and grateful for the life we have because there are many worse jobs to do than travelling the world playing tennis."
