Jody Burage Triumphs in First Grand Slam Match in 12 Months

Jody Burage has made a remarkable return to the Grand Slam scene, securing a spot in the second round of the Australian Open after a hard-fought victory over Frances Leo Lea Jean Jean. The win marks her first Grand Slam appearance in 12 months, and she expressed her excitement about being back on the match court. “There were a lot of emotions going into the match yesterday, but I was very excited to get on the match court at a Grand Slam level,” Burage said. “I managed to take my moment, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Reflecting on a Challenging Year
Burage’s journey to this point has not been easy. Just weeks ago, she was contemplating retirement due to injuries that had plagued her career. In a poignant moment after her win, Burage described shedding “happy tears” at the end of the match. She shared her emotions, stating, “I’m not normally someone who cries, so I’m a little bit embarrassed about that, to be honest. But they were happy tears. Over the last year, I’ve tried to put all my emotions aside, get through it, and do the best I can. It was a tough year, but I’m glad I managed to pull through.”

Fighting Through Physical Setbacks
In the past 12 months, Burage has faced several physical setbacks, including multiple surgeries. She underwent her fourth surgery—her first wrist surgery—and also dealt with an ankle injury that kept her sidelined for a while. Reflecting on the toll it took on her, she said, “It was a really tough year. I didn’t know how much more fight I had left for the sport, but it can change quickly, and that’s what kept me going these last few months.”

The Underdog Mentality for Round Two
Looking ahead to her next challenge, Burage is set to face American third seed Coco Gauff in the second round. Despite the tough competition, Burage is embracing her role as the underdog. “I’m really excited! I’ve never even hit on Rod Laver before, so I’ll try to get some practice in tomorrow. I’ve played Coco before, and she’s arguably the best player in the world right now, so it’s going to be a tricky match. But I’m going to take it to her and see what I can do. I’m going to try and make her as uncomfortable as I can.”

The Challenge of Balancing Singles and Doubles
In addition to singles, Burage has also been competing in doubles, although she and her partner were recently defeated in a deciding set tiebreak. “It was a really close match, and I can’t believe we didn’t win it,” Burage said. “We gave it our best shot. It was quite physical, and as you can see, I’m a little sunburned, but it’s always good to get back on the match court. I love competing.”

British Tennis Thriving Down Under
Burage’s success is part of a larger trend in British tennis at the Australian Open, with five British players advancing to the next round—a record-equalling achievement. Burage remains hopeful that her compatriot Katy Bolter will join the ranks as well. “We are in a really good spot right now. We’re showing that at the highest level, which is Grand Slam level. Hopefully, we’ll have six players in the third round. British tennis is in a really good spot right now.”