Jodie Burrage, a rising star in British tennis, has recently shared her thoughts on dealing with injury setbacks and offered advice to her compatriot Emma Raducanu, who is gearing up for her comeback at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this week. Burrage, like Raducanu, has faced her share of challenges this year. After climbing to a career-high world ranking of 86 and becoming the British No. 2, her promising progress was derailed by a string of injuries starting in February. These issues forced her to miss several months on the competitive circuit.
Now, having fought her way back to match fitness, Burrage has begun to rebuild her career, returning to tournament play and achieving a milestone by winning a doubles title at the W100 Caldas da Rainha event in September. Her return to form highlights her resilience and determination to regain her standing in the sport. Burrage’s comeback coincided with another setback for Raducanu, who, after showing signs of recovery over the summer, suffered an injury during the Korea Open. This setback prevented Raducanu from participating in much of the Asian swing, a critical period on the WTA calendar.
However, Raducanu appears ready to return to the courts as she joins the British squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, set to take place in Malaga. The 2021 US Open champion has been spotted training, signaling her intent to put her injury troubles behind her. Burrage, despite not being part of the British team for the event, has expressed her support and optimism for Raducanu’s return to competition.
“I haven’t been at the NTC [National Tennis Centre] much recently, so I don’t have any insider information,” Burrage shared with GB News. “Coming back from injury is never easy, but Emma knows what she needs to do. I’m sure she’s giving everything to be ready for the team.” Burrage emphasized that the key for Raducanu will be building up her match fitness and accumulating playing time to regain confidence and rhythm. “She’s done exceptionally well to get to where she is, considering the challenges she’s faced. The priority now is for her to get back out there, play matches, and strengthen her body.”
While Burrage continues her own comeback, competing this week in Portugal on the ITF circuit, where she is set to face Poland’s Martyna Kubka in the opening round, she remains an enthusiastic supporter of her British teammates. “I’ll definitely be cheering them on from afar,” she said. “My focus is on my own fitness and game development right now, but I’d be there for the team in a heartbeat if needed.”
The British team’s prospects in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals are bolstered by a talented roster that includes Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls. Boulter has reached new heights this season, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 23 following her impressive run to the final of the Hong Kong Open. Dart, too, has enjoyed a standout year, solidifying her place among Britain’s top players. Watson has shown renewed form in both singles and doubles, while Nicholls’ rise into the WTA doubles top 40 reflects her growing prowess.
Burrage, currently ranked 284th in the world, remains motivated by the successes of her compatriots. She hopes to reclaim her spot on the Billie Jean King Cup squad in the future and is inspired by the competitive spirit within British women’s tennis. “Women’s British tennis is in a great place right now, arguably the best it’s been in for some time,” Burrage said. “There’s a strong sense of encouragement and support among us. The competition for spots on the team is fierce, but that only makes us stronger.”
The drive to compete at the highest level continues to push Burrage forward. “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved as a group, and I hope the fans are as well,” she added. “I’m determined to keep developing as a player and earn my place back in the team. The high standard and strong competition in British tennis are both motivating and rewarding.”
As Raducanu prepares to make her return, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on her performance at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Burrage’s experiences and words of encouragement serve as a reminder of the resilience and perseverance required to overcome setbacks and succeed at the elite level. For both players, the journey back to form may be challenging, but their determination and passion for the sport ensure that brighter days lie ahead for British women’s tennis.