🔗 Share this article

British Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "pick between my body and my world standing" as the race persists for a place in the upcoming January Australian Open main draw.

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

The female entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be calculated from the international positions of early December, which could create a challenging situation for competitors near the cut.

Physical Setbacks

Former British number one Boulter tore an abductor in her last tournament of the year in international locations last timeframe, and is now considering whether to play in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, the European nation, in the first week of December.

The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the situation she would need to achieve at least multiple victories in the French tournament to boost her position, means she may well end up not participating.

Varying Approaches

In opposition, men's competitors are not experiencing the identical predicament, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open entry list will be created from this week's positions, which is the ATP's standard annual-final ranking date.

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

Training Transitions

This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She won only 14 elite main-draw matches and recently split with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy collaboration in which she captured multiple WTA championships.

"Biljana is an outstanding trainer, and an remarkably excellent individual as well, which produces circumstances particularly challenging," Boulter said.

The quest for a different trainer is well under way, searching for a professional who has high-level experience as Boulter still believes she can be a world-class athlete.

Future Goals

"Progressing with a replacement instructor, a key aspect I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be an individual who has extensive expertise in how to succeed to the peak performance of this game," she stated.

"I've been positioned as elevated as 23 and I know I can return there. I don't think my level has diminished, I believe the consistency needs to enhance.

"My objective is not simply to be placed fifty, 40, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The goal is to be within 20."