Jack Draper and Jodie Burrage Score Epic Wins at Australian Open
Locker Room
January 13, 2025
Jack Draper and Jodie Burrage have both emerged triumphant from their first-round clashes in Melbourne.
And Burrage has the reward of a high-profile contest against Coco Gauff next time out.
Draper looked to be on his way to the exit door against Mariano Navone, a fellow 23-year-old from Argentina.
Britain’s finest was 2-1 down in sets and apparently suffering from heat exhaustion as he began to fade away. Somehow he dug deep to overcome the nausea and win through 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The highlight was arguably Jack’s extraordinary race to reach his opponent’s cunning drop shot, followed by a delicious backhand pass down the line under immense pressure.
The reward for Draper was a double break in the final set – and he punched the air, knowing he was almost home and dry.
Draper had come into this fight feeling ring-rusty. And it showed as he misfired for much of the early stages in his first big match of the year.
Jack Draper should be in the groove now for the rest of this opening Grand Slam of the tennis calendar. And the likeable Brit will surely show more true grit at Wimbledon 2025!
Meanwhile Jodie Burrage has nothing to lose as she takes on American superstar Coco Gauff in the next round.
She cried tears of joy after she defeated French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-4 in Melbourne.
It wasn’t so much the intensity of the contest but the journey to the Australian Open that had Burrage blubbing with delight.
An injury-riddled 2024 had left her on the point of retirement. ‘It was a good decision not to,’ said the world 173. ‘All those emotions from the last nine months were bottled up in there.
‘It was always going to come out at some point. I’m just very, very happy. It was definitely up there with one of the best wins of my career.’
Jack Draper and Jodie Burrage will be among those flying the flag for Britain at Wimbledon 2025 this European summer.
Will you come and join the Wimbledon party so enjoyed by British royalty and Hollywood celebrities alike?
Book your Centre Court tickets with us and you’ll make memories to last a lifetime.