Australian Open 2025: Jodie Burrage says she was close to quitting tennis in 2024 after multiple injury disputes

Burrage was at a career-high 84th in the world rankings in February when she needed surgery on a tendon that snapped in her wrist.

But she suffered another blow in April as she prepared to return to competition.

Burrage broke an ankle ligament in a training session with British number one Katie Boulter and although she did not need surgery, she missed another 10 weeks.

She finally returned to the court in September at a WTA event in Monastir before the emotional moment in November when she questioned her future while training at the National Tennis Centre.

It was a sliding door moment. Burrage fought on. A week later she reached the final of a Futures event in Slovakia, then lifted the trophy in Dubai straight after.

“That’s the fun of tennis,” said Burrage, who plays in Melbourne under a protected ranking and faces French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in the first round.

“Literally five days later I started in Slovakia, got to the final and then I win the biggest title of my career in Dubai.

“It was very up and down. Those six months were really, really hard.”

When asked what kept her from quitting, she said, “For some reason I love this crazy sport. That’s what kept me going.

“The struggle, being here (in Melbourne), working hard, working towards something.

“I feel like I have so much more to give.”