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Britain's Katie Boulter says she feels she has to "decide between my physical health and my ranking" as the scramble persists for a spot in January's Australian Open primary competition.

While the typical WTA Tour competitive period is over, there are still standing points to be won in South American nations, Argentina, Ecuador and international tournaments.

The women's entry list for the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season will be calculated from the world rankings of the December cutoff, which could cause a challenging situation for players close to the qualification line.

Health Challenges

Previous British top-ranked player Boulter experienced an groin injury in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now considering whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, the continental destination, in the opening days of December.

Boulter's ongoing health concern, and the reality she would need to win at least several wins in the European event to enhance her standing, means she may well eventually not playing.

Different Systems

In contrast, male players are not facing the identical situation, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open competitor lineup will be established from current week's positions, which is the ATP's standard year-end ranking date.

The modification is intended to deterring athletes from chasing ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.

Professional Adjustments

This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.

She won only 14 elite primary competition games and currently split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a three-year partnership in which she won multiple WTA victories.

"Biljana is an exceptional instructor, and an remarkably good individual as well, which creates situations extremely hard," Boulter stated.

The pursuit for a different instructor is currently ongoing, searching for a professional who has elite experience as Boulter continues to think she can be a world-class player.

Professional Aspirations

"Progressing with a replacement instructor, an important factor I'm absolutely certain on is that they are going to be someone who has a lot of experience in how to make it to the highest echelon of this sport," she explained.

"I've been positioned as advanced as 23 and I am confident I can get back there. I don't think my level has gone anywhere, I believe the steadiness should improve.

"My aim is not to be ranked 50, 40, thirty, 20 - we've achieved that. The goal is to be among the top twenty."