Britain’s Katie Boulter says she feels she has to “choose between my body and my ranking” as the scramble continues for a place in January’s Australian Open main draw.
While the regular WTA Tour season is over, there are still ranking points to be won in Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and France.
The women’s entry list for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season will be based on the world rankings of 8 December, which could cause a dilemma for players close to the cut.
Although 104 players will receive direct entry into the Melbourne draw, that includes those with protected rankings, meaning Boulter – who sustained a hip injury in October – could miss out despite currently occupying 100th spot.
“If there are tournaments there, it gives you an opportunity because you want to make the main draw of Australia,” Boulter, 29, told BBC Sport.
“I’m in this predicament myself right now, and it’s almost like I have to choose between my body or my ranking.
“I think I know my own right choice, but it’s difficult because it means that everyone else is going to be playing and passing me.”
Former British number one Boulter tore an abductor in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, France, in the first week of December.
In contrast, male players are not facing the same dilemma, as for the first time the men’s Australian Open entry list will be drawn up from this week’s rankings, which is the ATP’s official year-end ranking date.
The change is aimed at discouraging players from chasing ranking points during what is essentially the off-season.
“I do think that would probably be the smart thing to do,” Boulter continued.
“There has to be somewhere where you draw the line and you give people an opportunity to recuperate and also get a good pre-season in.
“I feel like this year we’ve seen so many burnouts, and so many people not playing the end of year because of mental health issues as well as body issues, and I do think it contributes to it.”
Boulter’s recent injury, and the fact she would need to win at least three matches in Angers to improve her ranking, means she may well end up not playing.
But that is likely to mean she will need to win through qualifying if she is to make the main draw at Melbourne Park for the sixth time in her career.