Burrage first thought about quitting the sport in 2020 after a series of injuries, but fought back to enjoy the biggest successes of her career.
A maiden Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 2023 and led to an unforgettable appearance on Centre Court in the second round, while she also won in the first round of that year’s US Open.
Burrage was sitting at a career-high 84th in the world when her progress was derailed again.
In February, she needed surgery on a snapped tendon in her wrist – the fourth operation of her career – and she suffered another blow in April when preparing to return to competitive action.
Burrage ruptured an ankle ligament in a practice session with British number one Katie Boulter and, although she did not require surgery, she missed another 10 weeks.
Having made her comeback on the lower-tier ITF Futures Tour, she broke down in tears during a training session and questioned whether it was worth the hardship.
However, she persevered, and has now become the first Briton to win in this year’s Australian Open singles.
British men’s number one Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley, the rapid-rising Scot who faces Nick Kyrgios, play later in Monday.
Harriet Dart, who lost in qualifying, is also in action after being given a late reprieve.
She was placed as a lucky loser when 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew through injury.
