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Britain's Katie Boulter states she believes she has to "choose between my physical condition and my ranking" as the competition carries on for a position in January's Australian Open primary competition.

While the regular WTA Tour season is over, there are still position points to be won in Chile, regional locations, various venues and European destinations.

The female participant roster for the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be based on the international positions of the December cutoff, which could create a dilemma for competitors approaching the qualification line.

Health Challenges

Ex- British number one Boulter tore an hip muscle in her concluding competition of the year in Asian venues last month, and is now considering whether to compete in the WTA 125 development competition in Angers, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.

Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to achieve at least three matches in the European event to improve her standing, means she may well eventually not competing.

Varying Approaches

In contrast, men's competitors are not facing the same predicament, as for the first time the men's Australian Open competitor lineup will be drawn up from current week's positions, which is the ATP's official season-concluding ranking date.

The modification is aimed at discouraging competitors from seeking ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.

Coaching Changes

This year has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She won only fourteen elite main-draw games and recently separated with coach Biljana Veselinovic after a extended collaboration in which she secured multiple WTA titles.

"Biljana is an exceptional trainer, and an remarkably quality person as well, which produces circumstances particularly challenging," Boulter stated.

The quest for a different trainer is actively progressing, looking for a professional who has elite expertise as Boulter continues to think she can be a world-class competitor.

Professional Aspirations

"Going forward with a new coach, an important factor I'm very clear on is that they are going to be an individual who has extensive expertise in how to succeed to the peak performance of this profession," she explained.

"I've been positioned as high as twenty-three and I believe I can climb back there. I don't think my level has disappeared, I believe the consistency needs to improve.

"My objective is not simply to be placed 50, forty, 30, twenty - we've been there. The aim is to be among the elite group."