TENNIS: O'Brien celebrates career high ranking
The 23-year-old has had cause for a double celebration after rising to a career-high 88 in the WTA Tour world rankings which were released this week.
O'Brien's rise to prominence comes on the back of her best year as a professional, reaching five finals as well as making her debut in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Her current ranking has now guaranteed the former Hymers school pupil automatic entry into the Australian Open in January, while invitations to more high-profile WTA tournaments should follow.
"To be ranked 88, my highest ever ranking, is more important to me than the British number one ranking," O'Brien told the Mail.
"I have been British number one before and it is a great accolade, but to be 88 is a great reward for a really good year.
"My ranking will now give me a lot more opportunities to get into the main draw of bigger tournaments.
"But that means it is only going to get harder from now on. The competition will be much tougher and there is a lot of hard work ahead of me."
Currently back at her Hessle home for a brief rest, O'Brien will return to her training base at the LTA's tennis centre at Roehampton next week.
After seeing the clear benefits of her successful pre-season 12 months ago, O'Brien will begin her training for the 2010 season next week with a fresh determination to improve further.
"After I struggled a bit in 2008 I spent the following off-season giving it everything I had," added O'Brien.
"I tried my hardest and gave everything in training. The physical improvements I made helped my confidence.
"Technically I improved too this year and I have a lot of confidence looking forward to next year.
"I'll look to get stuck into my training again and will work hard in the coming weeks. I'm excited about next season already."
O'Brien's number one status comes as former British number one Anne Keothavong slips from 84 to 100 in the rankings after being inactive through injury.
With Elena Baltacha just a place behind O'Brien in the rankings at 89, the new number one knows she faces a test to keep her position.
She explained: "British women's tennis has changed a lot and the British number one ranking means a lot more than it used to because everyone is ranked higher.
"There was probably a time when it was a bit meaningless but we are all competing at a much higher level now.
"I've been British number one before but now I feel like I really earned it by doing it the hard way."
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