🔗 Share this article

British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "choose between my body and my professional position" as the scramble carries on for a place in next January's Australian Open main event.

While the regular WTA Tour season is finished, there are still position points to be won in Latin American countries, neighboring countries, various venues and international tournaments.

The women's entry list for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the international positions of 8 December, which could create a dilemma for competitors approaching the qualification line.

Physical Setbacks

Previous British number one Boulter experienced an abductor in her last tournament of the year in Hong Kong last timeframe, and is now weighing up whether to participate in the WTA 125 Challenger event in French locations, France, in the initial week of December.

Boulter's current physical issue, and the reality she would need to secure at least three matches in the European event to boost her ranking, means she may well eventually not competing.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, male players are not experiencing the same situation, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open entry list will be established from current week's rankings, which is the ATP's official year-end ranking date.

The change is aimed at preventing competitors from pursuing ranking points during what is fundamentally the rest interval.

Training Transitions

This season has been a challenging one for Boulter.

She achieved merely 14 Tour-level main-draw matches and currently separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she secured three WTA titles.

"Biljana is an incredible coach, and an remarkably quality human as well, which creates situations very difficult," Boulter said.

The search for a replacement instructor is actively progressing, looking for someone who has high-level expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a elite-level competitor.

Professional Aspirations

"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, one thing I'm very clear on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of experience in how to advance to the very top level of this sport," she stated.

"I've been positioned as advanced as twenty-three and I believe I can get back to that position. I am not convinced my performance has gone anywhere, I think the consistency should enhance.

"My aim is not simply to be ranked fifty, forty, thirty, 20 - we've achieved that. The goal is to be within the elite group."