🔗 Share this article

Britain's Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "pick between my body and my world standing" as the race carries on for a spot in the upcoming January Australian Open main event.

While the standard WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still position points to be gained in Latin American countries, regional locations, Ecuador and international tournaments.

The women's participant roster for the opening Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the international positions of the December cutoff, which could create a difficult choice for athletes close to the qualification line.

Physical Setbacks

Former British top-ranked player Boulter experienced an abductor in her concluding competition of the year in Hong Kong last period, and is now considering whether to participate in the WTA 125 development competition in European venues, France, in the first week of December.

The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the fact she would need to win at least several wins in the French tournament to enhance her position, means she may probably ultimately not participating.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, men's competitors are not experiencing the same situation, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open participant roster will be established from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's standard year-end ranking date.

The change is aimed at preventing competitors from pursuing standing points during what is fundamentally the off-season.

Professional Adjustments

This period has been a challenging one for Boulter.

She won only 14 professional main-draw matches and recently separated with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she won several WTA championships.

"Biljana is an exceptional trainer, and an exceptionally good individual as well, which makes things very difficult," Boulter said.

The search for a replacement instructor is well under way, searching for someone who has top-tier background as Boulter still believes she can be a elite-level competitor.

Career Objectives

"Progressing with a different trainer, an important factor I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be someone who has extensive expertise in how to succeed to the very top level of this profession," she stated.

"I've been placed as elevated as twenty-three and I believe I can return to that position. I don't think my level has gone anywhere, I believe the reliability needs to enhance.

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