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

While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still standing points to be earned in South American nations, Argentina, various venues and European destinations.

The female competitor lineup for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the world rankings of 8 December, which could create a challenging situation for players approaching the qualification line.

Injury Concerns

Ex- British number one Boulter experienced an groin injury in her concluding competition of the year in Hong Kong last timeframe, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, France, in the first week of December.

Boulter's recent injury, and the fact she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in the French tournament to enhance her position, means she may likely eventually not participating.

Different Systems

In opposition, male athletes are not experiencing the identical dilemma, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open participant roster will be drawn up from this week's positions, which is the ATP's official year-end standing calculation.

The modification is intended to deterring competitors from chasing ranking points during what is essentially the rest interval.

Coaching Changes

This season has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She secured just fourteen elite main-draw matches and currently separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy working relationship in which she secured three WTA championships.

"Biljana is an exceptional trainer, and an remarkably excellent individual as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter commented.

The pursuit for a replacement instructor is well under way, searching for a professional who has top-tier background as Boulter still believes she can be a world-class competitor.

Career Objectives

"Moving ahead with a new coach, one thing I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of expertise in how to make it to the very top level of this game," she stated.

"I've been placed as elevated as 23 and I believe I can return to that position. I don't think my performance has diminished, I believe the consistency needs to develop.

"My aim is not to be placed 50, forty, thirty, twenty - we've accomplished that. The goal is to be inside the top twenty."