Ample curve on an abelian surface generates the surface

Let $C$ be a smooth connected ample curve in an abelian surface $A$. Translate its chosen basepoint to zero and apply the universal property of the Jacobian variety. The image of $J(C)\to A$ is a closed connected algebraic subgroup containing the translated curve. If it had dimension one, that curve would be the subgroup itself; a distinct coset is disjoint and numerically equivalent, forcing $C^2=0$. This contradicts ampleness, so the homomorphism is surjective.