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Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "pick between my physical health and my ranking" as the competition continues for a spot in the upcoming January Australian Open main draw.

While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is completed, there are still ranking points to be gained in Chile, neighboring countries, Ecuador and European destinations.

The women's participant roster for the initial Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the global standings of early December, which could create a dilemma for athletes close to the cut.

Injury Concerns

Ex- British leading competitor Boulter suffered an groin injury in her last tournament of the year in Asian venues last timeframe, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 development competition in European venues, France, in the first week of December.

Boulter's recent injury, and the situation she would need to secure at least multiple victories in Angers to boost her position, means she may well eventually not playing.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, men's competitors are not experiencing the same dilemma, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open participant roster will be established from present week's standings, which is the ATP's formal season-concluding ranking date.

The change is designed to deterring competitors from chasing ranking points during what is fundamentally the rest interval.

Coaching Changes

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She achieved merely fourteen professional major tournament contests and recently split with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she secured several WTA titles.

"Biljana is an incredible coach, and an exceptionally good individual as well, which makes things particularly challenging," Boulter commented.

The search for a different coach is currently ongoing, looking for someone who has elite expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 competitor.

Professional Aspirations

"Progressing with a new coach, an important factor I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has extensive knowledge in how to make it to the very top level of this game," she said.

"I've been placed as advanced as twenty-three and I know I can climb back to that position. I am not convinced my level has disappeared, I feel the reliability needs to enhance.

"My objective is not simply to be positioned 50, forty, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The objective is to be inside 20."