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Britain's Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "decide between my physical health and my ranking" as the scramble carries on for a place in January's Australian Open main event.

While the standard WTA Tour competitive period is completed, there are still position points to be won in Chile, Argentina, various venues and international tournaments.

The female entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the international positions of 8 December, which could create a difficult choice for players approaching the cut.

Health Challenges

Former British top-ranked player Boulter tore an hip muscle in her last tournament of the year in international locations last month, and is now considering whether to play in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in French locations, the European nation, in the initial week of December.

The athlete's current physical issue, and the fact she would need to win at least multiple victories in the European event to boost her ranking, means she may likely end up not competing.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, men's competitors are not confronting the equivalent situation, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from present week's positions, which is the ATP's standard annual-final ranking date.

The modification is intended to deterring players from pursuing ranking points during what is fundamentally the off-season.

Coaching Changes

This year has been a demanding one for Boulter.

She secured just 14 Tour-level main-draw games and recently parted ways with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy collaboration in which she won multiple WTA championships.

"Biljana is an outstanding coach, and an exceptionally quality human as well, which creates situations extremely hard," Boulter stated.

The pursuit for a different coach is well under way, searching for an individual who has elite expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a elite-level player.

Future Goals

"Going forward with a new coach, one thing I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be an individual who has considerable knowledge in how to succeed to the highest echelon of this sport," she said.

"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I am confident I can climb back there. I don't think my level has diminished, I believe the steadiness needs to enhance.

"My aim is not to be ranked fifty, forty, 30, twenty - we've accomplished that. The goal is to be within 20."