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British Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "choose between my physical health and my professional position" as the race continues for a spot in January's Australian Open main event.

While the standard WTA Tour tournament schedule is completed, there are still position points to be gained in South American nations, Argentina, multiple sites and European destinations.

The female participant roster for the first Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be based on the global standings of the December cutoff, which could create a dilemma for competitors close to the selection threshold.

Physical Setbacks

Former British leading competitor Boulter suffered an groin injury in her final event of the year in Asian venues last period, and is now evaluating whether to play in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in French locations, the continental destination, in the first week of December.

Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the fact she would need to achieve at least several wins in the French tournament to boost her ranking, means she may well end up not competing.

Varying Approaches

In comparison, men's competitors are not facing the equivalent situation, as for the first time the male Australian Open entry list will be drawn up from present week's rankings, which is the ATP's official year-end position determination.

The change is aimed at discouraging athletes from chasing position points during what is essentially the break period.

Coaching Changes

This period has been a demanding one for Boulter.

She secured just fourteen elite major tournament matches and recently separated with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a lengthy partnership in which she won three WTA championships.

"Biljana is an exceptional instructor, and an extremely excellent person as well, which creates situations particularly challenging," Boulter commented.

The quest for a new instructor is well under way, searching for someone who has top-tier background as Boulter maintains the belief she can be a top-20 player.

Future Goals

"Moving ahead with a new coach, one thing I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be a professional who has a lot of experience in how to make it to the very top level of this profession," she explained.

"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I believe I can return to that position. I don't think my level has diminished, I think the consistency needs to develop.

"My goal is not merely to be positioned fifty, 40, thirty, 20 - we've been there. The objective is to be within the top twenty."