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British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my physical health and my world standing" as the scramble continues for a spot in January's Australian Open primary competition.

While the typical WTA Tour tournament schedule is over, there are still ranking points to be gained in Chile, neighboring countries, Ecuador and France.

The female entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be determined by the world rankings of early December, which could present a challenging situation for competitors close to the cut.

Injury Concerns

Ex- British leading competitor Boulter experienced an hip muscle in her final event of the year in Asian venues last month, and is now considering whether to play in the WTA 125 development competition in French locations, France, in the first week of December.

The athlete's recent injury, and the reality she would need to win at least multiple victories in the European event to boost her position, means she may well ultimately not competing.

Different Systems

In comparison, male athletes are not experiencing the equivalent situation, as for the first time the men's Australian Open entry list will be drawn up from present week's positions, which is the ATP's official season-concluding standing calculation.

The modification is aimed at preventing competitors from seeking standing points during what is fundamentally the break period.

Professional Adjustments

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She achieved merely fourteen professional primary competition matches and currently separated with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a extended partnership in which she won three WTA titles.

"Biljana is an exceptional trainer, and an remarkably quality individual as well, which produces circumstances very difficult," Boulter said.

The pursuit for a different trainer is actively progressing, seeking someone who has high-level expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 player.

Future Goals

"Moving ahead with a different trainer, an important factor I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of knowledge in how to make it to the highest echelon of this game," she explained.

"I've been ranked as advanced as twenty-three and I am confident I can return to that position. I am not convinced my standard has disappeared, I think the reliability should develop.

"My objective is not merely to be positioned 50, forty, 30, twenty - we've been there. The goal is to be among 20."