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British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my physical condition and my ranking" as the race carries on for a position in the upcoming January Australian Open main event.

While the standard WTA Tour season is finished, there are still position points to be earned in Chile, Argentina, various venues and European destinations.

The female competitor lineup for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be determined by the international positions of early December, which could create a dilemma for players near the qualification line.

Physical Setbacks

Previous British top-ranked player Boulter tore an abductor in her concluding competition of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in French locations, France, in the initial week of December.

The athlete's recent injury, and the situation she would need to achieve at least three matches in Angers to enhance her position, means she may likely ultimately not playing.

Varying Approaches

In opposition, male players are not experiencing the identical situation, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open participant roster will be established from present week's positions, which is the ATP's official annual-final ranking date.

The modification is designed to deterring players from chasing ranking points during what is fundamentally the off-season.

Professional Adjustments

This period has been a demanding one for Boulter.

She secured just 14 elite main-draw matches and recently separated with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she captured three WTA victories.

"Biljana is an incredible instructor, and an exceptionally good human as well, which makes things extremely hard," Boulter stated.

The quest for a replacement instructor is currently ongoing, searching for someone who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a top-20 athlete.

Future Goals

"Progressing with a new coach, one thing I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of knowledge in how to succeed to the highest echelon of this profession," she stated.

"I've been ranked as advanced as twenty-three and I believe I can get back to that position. I don't believe my level has disappeared, I believe the consistency should develop.

"My goal is not merely to be ranked fifty, 40, thirty, twenty - we've achieved that. The goal is to be within the elite group."