Caty McNally vs Jodie Burrage

Wimbledon 2025 – 1st Round Preview
Caty McNally vs Jodie Burrage

🧠 Form & Context

Caty McNally

• 🩼 Comeback trail: Competing under a protected ranking, McNally is still finding her rhythm after missing most of 2023 post-Wimbledon.
• 🧱 Solid ITF buildup: Reached four clay semifinals this year and gave a tough fight to Azarenka in her first grass match since 2022 (Bad Homburg qualies).
• 🧠 Slam drought: Last Grand Slam main-draw win came at the 2023 Australian Open. Winless (0–3) at Wimbledon in main draws.
• 📈 Trending upward: 25–12 in 2025 overall, mostly ITF. Notable wins over Kalinina and Tomljanovic this spring. Looking to break through at the Slam level again.

Jodie Burrage

• 🏠 Home crowd energy: Beat McNally in straight sets at Wimbledon 2023 and feeds off British crowd support. Always dangerous at home.
• 📉 Confidence crisis: Just 9–19 in 2025, with only four WTA main-draw wins this season. Hasn’t found consistency post-injury.
• 🩼 Injury hangover: Returned in early 2025 from a six-month break but has failed to win back-to-back matches at any event.
• ⚖️ Risk-reward game: Can flatten out balls effectively on grass but tends to unravel in key pressure moments.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match feels like a referendum on form versus feel. McNally has quietly stacked wins at lower levels and rebuilt her confidence. Her grass-friendly style—solid serve, net play, and tactical patience—could pay off here, provided she keeps her error count low.

Burrage, on the other hand, has the crowd and some baseline firepower, but little momentum. Her inability to maintain mental steadiness in tight sets or third sets has been a running theme all year.

If McNally can drag the Brit into longer exchanges and capitalize on transition chances, she has a clear path. But Burrage’s upside lies in starting hot and making it physical early.

🔮 Prediction

A nervy, scrappy affair is likely, but McNally has put together the steadier 2025 resume. If she plays smart and keeps Burrage moving, she should find enough openings to take control.

Prediction: Caty McNally in 3 sets. Burrage may catch a set, but McNally’s game is better built for the long haul right now.