Interview: Burrage loved lockdown but is ready for return

Lockdown life has suited Jodie Burrage. The 21-year-old is competing in this week's Progress Tour Championships and told Women's Sport Daily she has never been fitter.

So, has spending three months working hard on her game at home almost been an advantage? "For me, definitely. I did a lot of running, which has changed my physique and fitness levels

"I was training six days a week, sometimes twice a day. It has been so beneficial, my movement has improved out of sight."

Burrage was in decent form as lockdown hit back in March, having missed the entire 2019 grasscourt season through injury. But a run through to the quarter-finals of an event in Egypt was disrupted when all the players were told to go home before she could play in the last eight. "It was frustrating because I was getting back to the level I had been at before, getting back to where I knew I could be," she added.

The world No.289 is delighted to be competing again and hopes playing against Katie Boulter in the group stage of the Progress Tour Championships can help propel her up the rankings.

"Katie's been in the top hundred players in the world. There aren't many who get to play at that level and it will bring my level up.

"Getting back out on the court has really made me want to push on now. I've been playing well and now need to put it out there on the match court."

Following the frustrations of the past two years, Burrage is aiming high for 2021 - starting with the Australian Open in January: "My goal is to make Australian Open qualifying. Being in the Grand Slam qualifiers is where my game should be and that will get me into more WTA events."