Burrage was at a career-high of 84th in the world rankings in February when she needed surgery on a snapped tendon in her wrist.

But she suffered another blow in April as she prepared 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.

She finally returned to court in September at a WTA event in Monastir before the emotional moment in November where she questioned her future during practice at the National Tennis Centre.

It was a sliding doors moment. Burrage fought on. A week later she reached the final of a Futures event in Slovakia, then lifted the trophy in Dubai straight afterwards.

"That's the funny thing about tennis," said Burrage, who is playing in Melbourne under a protected ranking and faces French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in the first round.

"Literally five days later, I started in Slovakia, made the final and then I win the biggest title of my career in Dubai.

"It was very up and down. Those six months were really, really hard."

Asked what stopped her quitting, she said: "For some reason, I love this crazy sport. That's what kept me going.

"The fight, being here [in Melbourne], working hard, working towards something.

"I feel like I've got so much more to give."