How facing Coco Gauff at Eastbourne will help lift Jodie Burrage

Jodie Burrage believes the experience of competing against one of the best players in the world will ultimately prove a positive one.
By Oli Dickson Jefford, Sportsbeat
Published 29th Jun 2023, 07:39 BST
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Burrage, who is supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, was up against world No.7 Coco Gauff on Centre Court at the LTA’s Rothesay International Eastbourne.

American Gauff, who reached a career high of fourth in the world a year, proved too good for Burrage on the day, prevailing 6-1 6-1 to continue her campaign alive. But despite the loss, the 24-year-old is still taking plenty from her experience.

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Best of Wednesday’s photos from the Rothseay International at Eastbourne.

US player Coco Gauff (R) shakes hands with Britain's Jodie Burrage after winning their women's singles round of 16 tennis match at the Rothesay Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne | Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty ImagesUS player Coco Gauff (R) shakes hands with Britain's Jodie Burrage after winning their women's singles round of 16 tennis match at the Rothesay Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne | Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
US player Coco Gauff (R) shakes hands with Britain's Jodie Burrage after winning their women's singles round of 16 tennis match at the Rothesay Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne | Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

“It’s a good benchmark to have and good experience, and I’ve just got to work harder to make that closer,” said Burrage. “She’s a top ten player and that’s what I expect from them when they’re playing well. I felt like I started OK. A lot of the games were actually quite close, so I don’t think the score really reflected what the match was like.

“It shows me what I have to do, and shows me how important the serve, pace of shot, footwork, every single point. It’s a good experience to have as next time I’m in that match, I’ll be ready for it, and I’ll know in those moments that I need to be on it.”

Kingston player Burrage will next be in action at Wimbledon, where she has received both a singles wildcard, and a doubles wildcard alongside Woking’s Emily Appleton. It will be a third straight year in the main draw for the 24-year-old, having played in both 2021 and 2022.

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And she approaches action at the All England just a few weeks after the biggest result of her career, having reached the final of the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham.

She added: “Wimbledon is next, so I’ll get my mind ready for that next week. I’ve been coming back from injury and in my first week back I lost the first round in Surbiton. Then I had a complete u-turn and made my first WTA final in Nottingham, beating some great players on the way there.

“I feel really motivated to get back on the practice court and get better. I know where I need to get better, I know what I want to do.”

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website

Related topics:WimbledonCoco Gauff