THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2023

Jodie Burrage

Press Conference

J. BURRAGE/C. McNally

6-1, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Jodie Burrage.

Great win. Tell us how you're feeling right now.

JODIE BURRAGE: Haven't got a lot of words. Just very happy. I think the smile says it all. Yeah, just happy to get through that, my first win at Wimbledon.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When you converted that match point, what was that moment like for you, that feeling?

JODIE BURRAGE: It was actually a lot of relief. It took me a few match points to get over the line. It's never simple with me (smiling).

Yeah, you know, I'm very happy with how I played, how I handled myself on court. I really enjoyed every moment of it, and hopefully can take that into the next match.

Q. Obviously it's Daria Kasatkina next. She's in good form, as well. How much are you looking forward to that challenge?

JODIE BURRAGE: Yeah, haven't thought about it much. Obviously she's a great player. She made finals last week in Eastbourne. It's going to be a very tough match. But I'll go out there, give my all, fight like I always do, and see what happens.

Q. The moment in the second set when you called for the review, it went against you, tough moment, how did you sort of get through that? How did you pull yourself around, then reel off the next four games?

JODIE BURRAGE: I wasn't happy with myself at all at that call. Sometimes stuff like that happens. Unfortunately it was on a break point.

But I think actually that fired me up a little bit. I was obviously annoyed with myself, but I used it in a positive way. That's actually credit to work that I've been putting in.

In the last few years, probably would have got annoyed with that, then it wouldn't have gone so well. The fact I won the next four games really shows how far I've come, yeah.

Q. I was watching you last year. You won the hearts of Wimbledon last year. Do you plan to celebrate with a few Percy Pigs tonight?

JODIE BURRAGE: Definitely. I think my mum has a few in her bag (laughter).

No, I'll definitely be celebrating tonight. Actually, I don't even know why, but this year in the second set, there was blood on the balls. I thought it was Caty actually who had cut herself, because she had the trainer on. It wasn't. It was another ball kid who had cut their finger, and there was blood on the balls. I was thinking, Why does this always happen when I'm playing?

Hopefully, next match we can get through plain sailing. Yeah, we'll wait and see what happens.

Q. Did it affect your concentration looking back on it?

JODIE BURRAGE: Last year?

Q. Last year. Did you think in some ways that helped you in a way because it was quite a dramatic thing at the time?

JODIE BURRAGE: Yeah, it was. I can't really remember if it distracted me. I actually think it helped me relax a little bit, take a step back from the tennis. There's bigger things than tennis, I guess. When someone's health isn't where it needs to be, tennis isn't the main priority.

I actually think it helped me a little bit to relax. I remember playing a little bit better after that. It's a bit unfortunate how it happened. I definitely think dealing with something like that in a match, when you have another match that has the same kind of thing, it definitely helps your focus. You deal with it, then you come back and focus on the next point.

So, yeah, probably did help.

Q. When you reflect back on all the injuries that you've come through, maybe some of the stuff that's been said on social media down the years, quite a journey for you. Did you ever doubt you would get to this point?

JODIE BURRAGE: Definitely. The answer to that is: definitely. Yeah, I've dealt with a lot of injuries throughout my career, and a lot of people telling me that I couldn't get to the top, wouldn't be a player when I was younger.

Yeah, after my third ankle operation, my mind had decided that that was it. I was going to go to an American university, get a degree there, have a great life. Would have really enjoyed it and loved it. But that was my tennis career done.

Yeah, you know, somehow got back on the horse with help from family and friends, and my boyfriend as well, like, really helped push through that not-so-nice time.

Yeah, to sit here saying I've won my first round at Wimbledon, hopefully going to be in the top hundred in two weeks, yeah, not expecting that, but very happy that it's happened.

Q. You're playing Daria, the No. 11 seed, against a Brit. Likely to be on a big court. Tell me about the possibility of playing on Centre or No. 1. How important is it for British players to be on those big courts?

JODIE BURRAGE: I can't wait. If I get put on one of those courts, I'd be very, very happy. I'd enjoy every single minute of it. I was stoked to play on Court 3. I've always said I absolutely love that court, always wanted to play on that court. It's such a good vibe. I'm glad I won my first match on it. It was a good omen, I guess.

We'll see what the schedule holds. If it's a big court, I'll enjoy every minute of it.

Q. How unsettling has the last month been off the court with Ben, everything that happened with London Irish, now got a new job in France? What's it been like?

JODIE BURRAGE: It's not been easy. His job, he just didn't have one, the club going bust. It's just awful for everyone involved. It's really sad to see the club go under, as well, when you know so many people who aren't in good positions.

Fortunately enough, Ben has had a really good opportunity at Toulon, south of France. One of the biggest clubs in Europe. He's going to absolutely love it. He's so excited.

It's tough because I won't be going with him. My base is here, my training is here. We've always said we'll do what's best for our careers. We've always put that first. We have a great understanding with that. That's why we work so well.

South of France isn't a bad place to go and visit, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it, as well.

Q. In the live rankings, this puts you inside the top 100. You've spoken about that target before. How motivating is that going into your second-round match, trying to cement it?

JODIE BURRAGE: Yeah, definitely. If I win the next match, then it's done deal, I think. I won't be thinking about that when I'm on court. I'll have bigger things to worry about. It would be a pretty cool thing to say I'm in top hundred. Hopefully it does happen. I'll work to make sure it does, take the question mark out of it.

But, yeah, something I've been working towards for a long time, so it feels good.

Q. Lots of family and friends here. Your beloved dog can't come to Wimbledon. Who is looking after the dog?

JODIE BURRAGE: I know. We've actually just had that conversation with two of my friends that live on the same road as us. They're going to go back now and actually go and get Otto so I can see a few people here. It's a shame he can't come.

I've had a great support network here. I've had so many people here that I know. It was really good to get a win in front of them, as well. Adds a little bit of pressure when people come and watch.

When you get the win, everything goes well, it feels really, really good.