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British Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "pick between my body and my professional position" as the scramble persists for a position in the upcoming January Australian Open primary competition.

While the regular WTA Tour tournament schedule is finished, there are still standing points to be earned in South American nations, Argentina, various venues and France.

The women's competitor lineup for the initial Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be determined by the international positions of 8 December, which could present a difficult choice for competitors close to the selection threshold.

Injury Concerns

Ex- British top-ranked player Boulter tore an abductor in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last period, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 Challenger event in European venues, the continental destination, in the first week of December.

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

Different Systems

In opposition, male players are not facing the equivalent predicament, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be established from this week's standings, which is the ATP's official season-concluding standing calculation.

The adjustment is aimed at discouraging competitors from chasing ranking points during what is basically the off-season.

Professional Adjustments

This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She won only 14 Tour-level major tournament games and lately split with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she secured several WTA victories.

"Biljana is an incredible coach, and an extremely good human as well, which makes things extremely hard," Boulter said.

The quest for a replacement coach is actively progressing, seeking an individual who has high-level experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a elite-level competitor.

Future Goals

"Going forward with a new coach, one thing I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has considerable expertise in how to advance to the highest echelon of this profession," she said.

"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I know I can climb back to that level. I don't think my standard has disappeared, I think the reliability needs to improve.

"My objective is not merely to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 - we've accomplished that. The aim is to be inside the elite group."