Seems to me like the journalist called it as he saw it - but, I agree it's the last thing a struggling athelete would want to have 'aired' before a big competition.
I agree.
However, for some perspective, let's flash back to a couple weeks before nationals. I believe we had a source who trained with her who claimed she was hitting everything, practices were going well, she was solid, etc. This continued, I believe, up to practically the day of the competition. Then, down she went in the short program. But at least she could still rebound in the freeskate. Then that day came and down she went- again, and again, and again.
What I'm trying to say is that it means nothing at all. What counts is what you put out there on the ice on Competition Day. Just like a skater can nail practice and fall apart in competition, one can appear to be struggling in practice and then some miracle occurs and they deliver when it counts.
That said, when she went to Florida, a quote from her struck me as odd given what she's been saying. she said something to the effect of "I know I can reach the podium at worlds." Doesn't sound like someone with a confidence issue to me. Is confidence REALLY the problem here? or is it something else, like maybe growing pains? or injuries? or lack of quality training time? etc.
Anyway, wish her the best at the worlds, because she's gonna need every ounce of it here.