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

While the regular WTA Tour season is over, there are still standing points to be gained in Chile, regional locations, Ecuador and European destinations.

The female entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be calculated from the world rankings of 8 December, which could present a challenging situation for players approaching the selection threshold.

Physical Setbacks

Previous British number one Boulter experienced an hip muscle in her last tournament of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now considering whether to compete in the WTA 125 secondary tournament in European venues, France, in the opening days of December.

Boulter's recent injury, and the fact she would need to win at least three matches in the European event to enhance her standing, means she may likely ultimately not playing.

Different Systems

In opposition, male players are not facing the equivalent predicament, as for the premier occasion the male Australian Open entry list will be established from current week's positions, which is the ATP's official annual-final standing calculation.

The adjustment is designed to preventing competitors from chasing standing points during what is basically the off-season.

Training Transitions

This period has been a demanding one for Boulter.

She achieved merely fourteen elite major tournament games and recently parted ways with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she won multiple WTA titles.

"Biljana is an exceptional coach, and an exceptionally excellent human as well, which produces circumstances particularly challenging," Boulter said.

The quest for a replacement coach is actively progressing, looking for a professional who has high-level expertise as Boulter maintains the belief she can be a top-20 competitor.

Future Goals

"Going forward with a different trainer, an important factor I'm completely sure on is that they are going to be an individual who has a lot of knowledge in how to advance to the very top level of this profession," she stated.

"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I believe I can climb back to that level. I don't believe my level has disappeared, I think the reliability needs to develop.

"My objective is not simply to be placed fifty, forty, 30, twenty - we've accomplished that. The aim is to be within the top twenty."