Melanie South insists she will come back fitter, stronger and faster in 2010 as she targets a return to the world’s top 100.

The New Malden star, who achieved a career-best ranking of 99 back in February, has seen her world tally plummet over the past months in part due to a absence from tournament play.

But South, who opted to instead take a first holiday in seven years recently before hitting the gym for a gruelling training regime, is confident her star will soon rise again.

The world number 159 said: “I think 2010 will be a really good year for me as I have so few ranking points to defend.

“In late 2008 I played in so many events all over the world it was unbelievable - but my target was to crack the top 100 and I achieved what I set out to do.

“But it totally burnt me out, and my body was beginning to break down.

“I know I have the game to win matches, but I was so tired during parts of this year and I had a really tough schedule.

“So I knew I had to take some time out and I am glad that I did.”

Do not mistake time out for any slackness though, as South reveals Christmas Day will now be her only day off between now and the Australian Open in January.

But the 23-year-old is happy to make those sacrifices.

She added: “It has become very obvious that to be successful in tennis today you really have to be an athlete.

“That is what I am focusing on - I am happy with the tennis side and I am comfortable with how I am hitting the ball.

“But I am still working on the fitness side of things.

“If I am fit and I feel good about myself then I feel a lot more confident when I am on court.

“I am working with a lot of different people now and the emphasis is just as much on the mental side of things as anything else.

“I have a lot of targets for 2010 - the first being to get back in the top 100, and it is up to me to make that happen.”