‘I still have PTSD’ – British tennis star explains why she will never practice with Katie Boulter again
Jodie Burrage has joked she will never practice with Katie Boulter again after several injury setbacks.
The British number seven admitted she always hurt herself when facing Boulter on the practice court.
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Burrage endured lengthy lay-offs in 2024 due to wrist and ankle injuries.
Reflecting on the setbacks she suffered opposite Boulter, she explained: "I still have PTSD every time I run for a drop shot. I am not practising with Katie ever again.
"Every time I’m on the practice court with her, I hurt myself. Genuine.
"I fractured my knee against her. Done my ankle."
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The 25-year-old's injury woes saw her slip to 173rd in the world ahead of the Australian Open.
Burrage was previously ranked as high as 85th and even considered retiring last year.
She added: "When I got injured I was at my career high, which is a tough one to take. But it gives me belief that I can get back to that level.
"With the tennis that I’ve been playing in the last month, I would say I’m getting back to that level.
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"Knowing that I’ve been there already, it obviously gives you more belief.
"If someone tells me, ‘I think you can be top 50’, well, I have not been top 50, so I’m not going to believe them.
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"But being top 100, I believe I can belong there."
Burrage took her first step towards returning to where she wants to be after she beat Leolia Jeanjean in the Australian Open first round.
She tasted victory in her first Grand Slam appearance for a year, seeing her reach the second round for the first time in her career.
The Brit will now take on American tennis sensation Coco Gauff on Wednesday, aiming to pull off a huge upset.
Gauff beat Sofia Kenin to reach the next round, as the number three seed looks to go all the way in Australia.
Since her fourth-round exit from the US Open last September, Gauff has won the China Open in Beijing and the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - the latter of which brought a $5.5million payday.
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Gauff then led the US to a United Cup title, which served as her warm up for the Australian Open.
It means Burrage has a very tough task on her hands later this week.
Meanwhile, 22nd seed Boulter begins her campaign on Tuesday against Rebecca Marino.
The British number one is ranked 25th in the world but has never been past the second round in Melbourne.
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