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Britain's Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "choose between my physical condition and my world standing" as the scramble continues for a position in January's Australian Open primary competition.

While the standard WTA Tour season is completed, there are still standing points to be gained in Latin American countries, regional locations, various venues and France.

The women's competitor lineup for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be calculated from the global standings of the December cutoff, which could present a difficult choice for competitors close to the cut.

Health Challenges

Previous British number one Boulter experienced an groin injury in her final event of the year in Asian venues last month, and is now weighing up whether to play in the WTA 125 Challenger event in European venues, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.

Boulter's recent injury, and the situation she would need to achieve at least several wins in Angers to enhance her position, means she may well eventually not competing.

Contrasting Methods

In contrast, men's competitors are not facing the equivalent situation, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open competitor lineup will be created from current week's standings, which is the ATP's standard year-end ranking date.

The modification is aimed at deterring competitors from pursuing ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.

Professional Adjustments

This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She secured just 14 Tour-level primary competition matches and recently separated with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year collaboration in which she secured three WTA titles.

"Biljana is an incredible trainer, and an extremely good person as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter commented.

The search for a different trainer is currently ongoing, searching for a professional who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 competitor.

Career Objectives

"Going forward with a new coach, a key aspect I'm very clear on is that they are going to be a professional who has extensive knowledge in how to make it to the highest echelon of this game," she explained.

"I've been placed as elevated as twenty-three and I know I can climb back to that position. I don't believe my performance has diminished, I think the consistency should develop.

"My goal is not to be positioned fifty, 40, 30, 20 - we've been there. The objective is to be inside the top twenty."