Jodie Burrage is into the Australian Open second round for the first time (Image: Getty)
Jodie Burrage will take a “free swing” and aim to “do some damage” against after her emotional first ever win at the .
The former British No.2 considered quitting last year after suffering wrist and ankle ligament injuries.
But back playing her first Grand Slam for 12 months on a protected ranking, Burrage held her nerve to beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-2 6-4 after a net cord on match point – and then broke down in “happy” tears on Court 13.
She said: “It was definitely one of the best wins of my career, and I think the emotion that came out after showed that. There was a lot of hard work that went into today. All of those emotions from the last nine months I think, yeah, were bottled up in there.
“They were happy tears. And grateful once that net cord went over. A bit lucky with that. It’s also just the start. I feel like I have more belief and confidence in myself, and I feel like that showed today. I feel like it’s the start of a good year for me.
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“So I think it was really, really important to get that win today. But after everything the last year, I am happy to be out here and playing, but also, I play this sport to win matches. That’s what I did today.”
Burrage, 25, insisted the fourth surgery of her career had made her “stronger” despite pre-match nerves preventing her from eating breakfast before facing the world No.149 .
“I don’t know why all the surgeries and injuries are happening to me, but it’s making me a better person and a better player,” she said.
That will be tested against world No.3 Gauff on Wednesday. Burrage lost 6-1 6-1 to the former US Open champion in their only previous meeting at Eastbourne in 2023.
“It will be fun,” smiled world No.173 Burrage. “I’m going to take it to her, see if I can get more games than last time, which wasn’t very many.
Jodie Burrage faces Coco Gauff in the next round in Melbourne (Image: Getty)
“I’m excited. I like it when you play the big occasions, the adrenaline gets going. For sure there will be nerves but it’s good nerves. It’s a free swing for me.
“I’m a proper underdog. See what I can do, see where my level is at with arguably one of the best players in the world right now.
“Again, I feel like I’m in a different spot to the last time I played her. Obviously it will be very different in a stadium. But what an opportunity. I’ll go out and I’ll take it to her and see if I can do some damage.”
Gauff, who dispatched the 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-3, said: “I know she was a little bit injured I think last year.
“I haven’t watched her play recently, so I think that’s something I have to look at, but obviously if you are here, you’re a tough player.
“Yeah, she’s going to have nothing to lose against me, but hopefully I can play some good tennis and be able to get through that.