‘A good decision not to quit’ – Burrage secures emotional win

Australian Open 2025

Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park

Just two months after considering quitting the sport, British star Jodie Burrage won the Australian Open main draw.

The 25-year-old claimed a a 6-2 6-4 success over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in Melbourne.

Burrage’s career has been beset by injuries and, after missing six months last year, she contemplated retirement.

Burrage persevered because of her passion for the sport and has now recorded one of her best victories of her career despite not knowing “how much fight” she had left.

“It was a good decision]not to retire]”, said world number 173 Burrage.

Burrage had too many weapons to defeat 149th-ranked Jeanjean in a performance that oozed confidence with her powerful groundstrokes and strong first serve.

The British number seven played aggressively, doing particular damage with her forehand as she hit 23 winners.

Burrage quickly covered her face with her hands after winning her first match point with a massive net cord.

Before Burrage returned to her chair and spent a few moments sobbing underneath a towel, the British fans in the crowd roared their appreciation.

Burrage claimed that because of pre-game nerves, she had trouble eating breakfast afterwards.

She said, “All of those emotions from the previous nine months, I believe, were bottled up there.”

“I think I know what a great opportunity this was because I know I’ve been playing some good tennis.”

After suffering a number of injuries, Burrage initially considered quitting the sport in 2020, but she fought back and enjoyed her biggest successes so far.

In addition to winning in the first round of the US Open in the same year, she also won her first Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon in 2023, which earned her an unforgettable appearance on Centre Court in the second round.

When Burrage’s career-high of 84th place was derailed once more, she was 84th overall.

She needed her fourth career operation to repair a broken tendon in her wrist in February, and she experienced yet another blow in April as she prepared to resume competitive action.

Katie Boulter, the British no. 1, and Burrage broke an ankle ligament during a practice session, which she did not need to have removed. Burrage then missed another 10 weeks.

She cried during a training session after returning from the lower-tier ITF Futures Tour and questioned whether the hardship was worthwhile.

However, she persevered, and has now become the first Briton to win in this year’s Australian Open singles.

British men’s number one Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley, the rapid-rising Scot who faces Nick Kyrgios, play later in Monday.

Harriet Dart, who lost in qualifying, is also in action after being given a late reprieve.