My name is Ema Burgic and I’m a professional tennis player, a single mom of two boys, and I’m currently on a mission to complete one of the hardest comebacks of my life.

Tennis has been part of my story since I was 7 years old. I grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina and was introduced to the sport during one of the most emotional periods of my childhood, while my father was battling cancer. Tennis became my outlet, my purpose, and eventually my career.

Over the years, I built a strong professional resume:

3 ITF Singles Titles

11 ITF Doubles Titles

Career-high WTA #466 Singles

Career-high WTA #145 Doubles

Fed Cup representative for Bosnia & Herzegovina

7-time All-American at Baylor University

Big 12 Player of the Year

NCAA Division I Top 5 ranking

After retiring in 2017, I transitioned into coaching and building my business and brand. But deep down, I always felt an unfinished chapter.

I knew I wasn’t done competing.

Why I’m Coming Back

This comeback is about more than tennis.

Over the past few years, I went through a divorce and had to rebuild my life as a single mother without financial support. I’m raising my two boys while chasing a dream many people thought I should let go of.

But I want to show them what courage looks like.

I want them to see what it means to fight for your dreams, even when it’s hard, even when it’s scary, even when starting over feels impossible.

The Reality of Professional Tennis

Competing professionally is incredibly expensive, especially during a comeback phase.

To rebuild my ranking, I must compete in lower-level ITF tournaments where expenses exceed prize money.

Typical costs include:

Training Weeks

Coaching

Court time

Fitness

Recovery

Treatments

➡️ $2,500–$3,000/week

Tournament Weeks

Flights

Hotels

Coach travel

Transport

➡️ $3,000–$4,000/week

This doesn’t include everyday living expenses while raising my kids.

Progress So Far

Since relaunching my career, I’ve already made major strides forward.

In June of last year, I won the biggest singles title of my career at a W35 tournament in Santo Domingo =, a milestone moment that validated all the hard work, sacrifice, and belief behind this comeback.

That win wasn’t just a trophy, it was proof that I can compete, win, and thrive again at a high professional level.

Since returning to the tour, I have:

Rebuilt my international ranking

Regained match confidence

Proven my body can handle the demands of tour life again

Continued to compete and push deeper into draws

I am currently ranked WTA #490 in singles, which puts me incredibly close to my career-high ranking of #466 — achieved before I stepped away from the sport.

Being this close again, after everything I’ve been through, is both emotional and motivating.

It shows that this comeback isn’t just a dream — it’s happening.

And with the right support, my goal is to keep climbing into the Top 250 and earn my place in Grand Slam qualifying draws.

Final Note

This comeback isn’t perfect.

It isn’t linear.

And it definitely isn’t easy.

But it’s mine.

And I’m giving it everything I have.

Thank you for believing in me — and for being part of this story ❤️

— Ema