Jodie Burrage gearing up for return at the Billie Jean King Cup
• 3 minute read
It’s been several months since Burrage last stepped onto court after taking some time away to reset.
The former top 100 player hasn’t played a competitive match since September when she featured at the WTA 125 event in Jingshan, but now feels ready to return with a renewed mindset and energy.
We caught up with Burrage ahead of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier against Australia, where she could be set to play in her third tie for her country.
“I’m in a really good spot and I’m ready to get back out there, get back on the road, get back competing”, Burrage said reflecting on her time away. “I just needed a little bit of time off and a little bit of a reset and it’s been the absolute best thing for me.”
For Burrage, there’s no better environment to ease back into competition than the team atmosphere that comes with the Billie Jean King Cup.
It’s been almost one year since the former world No.85 secured her first victory for the Lexus GB team, after coming through a deciding doubles match against Netherlands in the 2025 Qualifiers. There, Burrage teamed up with compatriot and good friend Katie Boulter in a must-win match against Demi Schuurs and Suzan Lamens.
It was a last-minute call from Captain Anne Keothavong, who decided to shake up the pairings, but it was one that well and truly paid off. Boulter had suffered defeat in the singles just an hour earlier but left that behind her as she joined forces with Burrage to secure a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win and send the Brits to the Finals in Shenzhen.
It was a win that meant more than just Burrage’s first victory for her country - it ended up one of the standout moments of her career and a memory she still cherishes to this day.
“For me that is up there with one of the best career moments”, Burrage reflected. “It was my first win for Great Britain - I’d played singles before and it hadn’t gone the way I wanted it to but to get that win (against Netherlands) and in the way it happened - it was a crazy day.
“We both played great that match and still talk about it to this day. It was incredible - definitely a career and personal highlight. Winning a round at Wimbledon is still on top for me, but that was a very, very close second.
“I love being in a team, supporting people and being a part of this set up. Regardless of the result or what happens, I’ll be in a really good space afterwards and then to go onto the next few tournaments after that, it’s the ideal situation for me. That’s not to say there won’t be a lot of hard work and pressure moments but I’m excited for that and I’m ready.”
The 26-year-old will be taking the pressure off herself for the remainder of the season as she gets back into the routine of life on Tour.
While stacking her schedule and boosting her ranking has been a priority in the past, Burrage is focusing more on getting back into the swing of competing regularly, staying fit and enjoying being back on the match court after being away from the game for almost seven months.
I’m just going to enjoy being back on the road, travelling and doing what I love - I’ve not felt that in a long time.
“My plan is to just get back on tour, take it week by week and enjoy being back out there. This year is all about looking ahead and setting up everything for next year.
“It won't be easy to keep that mindset when I get going and get back to playing tournaments - I can imagine wanting to play more and more, but the goal is to stay happy and stay fit. I’m in a really good place physically, probably the best I’ve been in a long time.
“I’m just going to enjoy being back on the road, travelling and doing what I love - I’ve not felt that in a long time but I’m excited that it starts next week.”
Burrage joins a new-look Lexus GB team for the tie against Australia - lining up alongside Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart and debutant Mika Stojsavljevic. They’re set to take on a strong home team who will be hoping to impress the Aussie crowd at the John Cain Arena at Melbourne Park.
Sam Stosur’s Australian team consists of three top 100 singles players in Maya Joint, Talia Gibson and Kimberly Birrell and two top 20 doubles specialists in Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez.
Great Britain and Australia will be battling it out to emerge victorious with a spot in the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September on the line.
“It’s going to be tough, they’ve got a really good team but for me personally, I’ve obviously not been travelling and I’m very lucky to be going and getting back out there and doing what I can for the team.
“It’s going to be a tough task with them being at home but anything can happen. We’ve seen that throughout the Billie Jean King Cup but I’m just excited to get back out there on the road and have a restart for me.”
You can watch Burrage and the rest of the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team in action against Australia between 10-11 April 2026.
