British Katie Boulter admits she feels she has to "decide between my physical health and my world standing" as the competition continues for a place in the upcoming January Australian Open main event.
While the standard WTA Tour season is finished, there are still ranking points to be gained in South American nations, regional locations, multiple sites and international tournaments.
The female entry list for the initial Grand Slam of the forthcoming season will be determined by the international positions of early December, which could create a dilemma for athletes close to the qualification line.
Ex- British leading competitor Boulter tore an abductor in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last period, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in European venues, France, in the opening days of December.
The athlete's ongoing health concern, and the fact she would need to secure at least multiple victories in Angers to improve her standing, means she may well end up not competing.
In contrast, male players are not facing the equivalent dilemma, as for the initial instance the male Australian Open entry list will be established from this week's rankings, which is the ATP's formal annual-final standing calculation.
The change is aimed at discouraging competitors from pursuing position points during what is basically the break period.
This period has been a difficult one for Boulter.
She achieved merely fourteen professional primary competition games and recently split with trainer Biljana Veselinovic after a extended working relationship in which she secured multiple WTA titles.
"Biljana is an incredible coach, and an extremely quality person as well, which creates situations very difficult," Boulter said.
The search for a replacement coach is actively progressing, searching for someone who has top-tier background as Boulter still believes she can be a world-class athlete.
"Moving ahead with a replacement instructor, a key aspect I'm very clear on is that they are going to be an individual who has considerable expertise in how to advance to the peak performance of this game," she explained.
"I've been placed as advanced as 23 and I believe I can get back there. I am not convinced my standard has diminished, I think the consistency needs to enhance.
"My goal is not to be placed fifty, 40, thirty, twenty - we've accomplished that. The aim is to be inside 20."
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
