Lexus Birmingham Open 2025: Jodie Burrage makes winning return on the grass

Burrage – who missed the whole of last year’s grass court season with injury – held her nerve in a tight first round match to beat Fett 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 17 minutes.

“I’m very pleased, got a little bit nervous at the end,” Burrage said after her match. “It’s been two years since I’ve played on grass and got my last win so it feels good to get through and hopefully can build on that going into the next one.

The British wild card will have been hugely encouraged by the way she handled the high-pressure moments during her opening round win at the Lexus Birmingham Open.

On the two occasions she was broken, Burrage was able to fire straight back. She also came back from 2-0 down to win the second set and saved break point serving out her first win grass since 2023.

“I was just saying to myself that I can do it. It’s something that I do waiver with, but I’ve been in those tough moments before, especially on the grass where I usually feel comfortable. I don’t quite feel comfortable yet but it’s like my third day on grass. I was just trying to believe as much as possible.

“I wanted to have more energy – when the nerves set in you stop moving your feet as much, so I just tried to focus on the legs. I can play some great stuff on this (grass), it’s been a while, but I just tried to draw on matches I’ve won before and build on that.”

It’s been a busy few weeks for the 26-year-old Brit – making her Roland Garros debut in singles and doubles – before heading back to home soil to start preparations for the summer season to come.

While Burrage admits she’s still getting back up to speed on the grass, being back on her favourite surface was something she’s been looking forward to for a while.

“I’m still taking time on the grass – that was actually my first singles points on it this year,” Burrage said.

“It’s such a short turnaround, but I wanted to come out here swinging. I missed it all last year and I don’t want to miss a thing this time around.

“There’s still a long way to go but I played some really good stuff last time I was on grass and trying to draw confidence from that.”

Two years ago, Burrage made it through to her first WTA final in Nottingham, where she lost out to fellow Brit and close friend Katie Boulter.

She’s shown her quality on the surface before and her results on the grass helped catapult her inside the WTA top 100 during the 2023 season. Grass seems to suit the her game and she’ll be hoping to use her experience and weapons to her advantage this summer.

“I remember my first round there (Nottingham), I think I won 7-6 in the third and I wasn’t feeling good at all so I built off that and hopefully I can do that for the next five weeks to come.

“For me it compliments my game and the way I hit the ball. Staying low, playing fast and my big serve. I just try and overpower my opponents, and I think that’s the best way to play on grass really.

“I want to win matches but honestly, I just want to enjoy it. I was in such a bad place this time last year watching it go on without me. Whether I win loads of matches, lose matches, I do just want to enjoy it, but I also believe I can do damage on this surface.”

Burrage is one of three Brits into the second round of the women’s singles, joining 17-year-old Mimi Xu and Heather Watson after their victories yesterday.

She will play Linda Fruhvirtova in the next round after the Czech star knocked out Miami Open semi-finalist and third seed, Alexandra Eala.