Katie Boulter is in a race against time to secure her spot in the main draw of the Australian Open. The Brit is currently ranked down at No. 100 in the world, and the top 104 get direct entry into the women’s singles draw. However, this includes those using a protected ranking, which means Boulter is at risk of not making the cut.
The entry list cut-off for the Aussie Open will be based on the WTA rankings released on December 8, and Boulter now has a tough decision to make. The 29-year-old seemingly ended her season when she retired from her opening match at the Hong Kong Open in tears, picking up a hip injury. But she could now enter a smaller tournament to boost her hopes of making it into the main draw of the first Grand Slam tournament of 2026.
Boulter is contemplating whether to head to France and compete in the WTA 125 Angers in the first week of December despite tearing her abductor last month. “If there are tournaments there, it gives you an opportunity because you want to make the main draw of Australia,” she 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.”
Should she miss out on a spot in the Australian Open main draw, Boulter would need to go through qualifying at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2023.
Those on the men’s tour have not been left in the same predicament. This year, the ATP decided that the entry list for the 2026 Australian Open would be determined by the rankings on November 18, in an effort to discourage players from competing in smaller events over what should be the off-season.
And Boulter would like to see a similar rule implemented on the WTA Tour. She added: “I do think that would probably be the smart thing to do. 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.”
Just a year ago, Boulter was ranked at a career high of No. 23 in the world. But it’s been a tough season for the three-time title winner, who suffered injuries and a loss of form. Although Boulter finds herself fighting for a spot in the Australian Open, she still believes she can get back to the top 25 – and go even further.
“I’ve been ranked as high as 23 and I know I can get back there. I don’t think my level has gone anywhere, I think the consistency needs to improve. My goal is not to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 – we’ve been there. The goal is to be inside 20,” she said.