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British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "decide between my physical health and my world standing" as the scramble carries on for a position in the upcoming January Australian Open main draw.

While the regular WTA Tour competitive period is completed, there are still standing points to be earned in Chile, Argentina, various venues and European destinations.

The women's participant roster for the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be calculated from the international positions of 8 December, which could present a dilemma for athletes near the selection threshold.

Health Challenges

Previous British number one Boulter suffered an groin injury in her concluding competition of the year in international locations last period, and is now weighing up whether to participate in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in European venues, France, in the initial week of December.

Boulter's recent injury, and the situation she would need to achieve at least several wins in the European event to boost her ranking, means she may probably ultimately not participating.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, men's competitors are not facing the same situation, as for the initial instance the men's Australian Open entry list will be created from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's formal annual-final standing calculation.

The change is intended to discouraging competitors from pursuing ranking points during what is basically the break period.

Training Transitions

This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She secured just fourteen Tour-level primary competition matches and recently separated with instructor Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year working relationship in which she captured three WTA titles.

"Biljana is an exceptional instructor, and an exceptionally quality individual as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter stated.

The search for a new coach is currently ongoing, seeking someone who has top-tier experience as Boulter still believes she can be a top-20 athlete.

Career Objectives

"Going forward with a replacement instructor, one thing I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be a professional who has considerable expertise in how to advance to the highest echelon of this sport," she stated.

"I've been ranked as advanced as 23 and I know I can return there. I don't believe my level has gone anywhere, I believe the steadiness should improve.

"My goal is not to be ranked fifty, forty, 30, 20 - we've accomplished that. The objective is to be inside the top twenty."