Jodie Burrage has hailed Danielle Collins as “entertaining” but admitted she will have to stay focussed to beat the American in Paris. The British No.7 will be seeking her first ever French Open main draw win after rupturing her ankle ligaments just before the tournament last year.
But Collins is also constantly involved in on-court drama. She became a pantomime villain Down Under in January when she beat home favourite Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open – and then responded to boos by thanking the crowd for “paying my bills”.
And even last week in Strasbourg she told a courtside cameraman: “It’s like wildly inappropriate” when he was filming too close to Emma Raducanu.
Burrage, who will face the world No.46 for the first time, said: “I love watching her actually. She is entertaining. And when I have hit with her, she has been lovely. Very open, honest. You know what you are going to get from her so the match will be tough. I have been watching her matches in Strasbourg this last week and she has been putting some good level on the court.
“I am going to watch a few more the next few evenings to try and get my game plan together. But ultimately I am trying to focus on me and my fight and what I am trying to put on the court as well. It should be a good fight and I am expecting a good level from her.
“Could I see myself take it to the Aussie crowd like her? Probably not, especially not the French crowd as well. I think the French crowd are slightly worse. Either way, it will be a fun match and I will be happy to be a part of it.
“Hopefully I can stay focussed if anything happens in the match. We will see.”
Asked if she is good at keeping focussed, Burrage smiled: “Good question. It is something I am working on. But it then provides some atmosphere. I prefer that – loud crowds. I hate where it is just dead. I wouldn’t mind if there is something like that although it does fire her up as well. Maybe not too much.”
World No.169 Burrage is making her French Open debut on a protected ranking after missing out on her debut year when she suffered her injury chasing a Kaite Boulter drop shot in training.
“I got a reminder on my phone this week, that this time last year I did my ankle,” she said.
“I kind of needed that reminder – I didn’t have an amazing practice yesterday but then I was reminded that I was sat on my couch with my foot in a boot on crutches this time last year. I needed that reminder. Second practice was much better. This morning Emma hit a drop shot, exactly the same thing, but I don’t run for drop shots in practice!”