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British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "decide between my physical health and my world standing" as the race carries on for a position in January's Australian Open main event.

While the regular WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still standing points to be won in South American nations, regional locations, multiple sites and international tournaments.

The female competitor lineup for the initial Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be determined by the global standings of early December, which could cause a dilemma for competitors approaching the selection threshold.

Health Challenges

Former British top-ranked player Boulter experienced an groin injury in her final event of the year in international locations last period, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in European venues, France, in the first week of December.

Boulter's current physical issue, and the situation she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in Angers to improve her ranking, means she may well ultimately not competing.

Different Systems

In opposition, male players are not confronting the equivalent situation, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open entry list will be drawn up from present week's standings, which is the ATP's standard year-end standing calculation.

The change is designed to deterring athletes from seeking standing points during what is basically the rest interval.

Training Transitions

This year has been a challenging one for Boulter.

She achieved merely 14 professional main-draw games and lately separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year working relationship in which she won three WTA victories.

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

The search for a new instructor is actively progressing, seeking an individual who has top-tier background as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 competitor.

Future Goals

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

"I've been positioned as elevated as twenty-three and I am confident I can climb back to that level. I am not convinced my level has diminished, I think the steadiness needs to develop.

"My aim is not to be positioned 50, forty, thirty, 20 - we've accomplished that. The aim is to be among the top twenty."