Tennis star Fran Jones, who suffers from rare genetic condition, collapses on court in scary scene
English tennis player Fran Jones collapsed in a frightening scene Tuesday at the Copa Colsanitas event in Colombia.
Jones was serving down 5-3 in the third set when she stumbled forward and collapsed to the clay court. She had been struggling with her breathing at other points in the set, according to multiple reports.
Her opponent, Julia Rivera, came over to help her, and Jones eventually had to retire from the match. She was taken off the court in a wheelchair.
Warning: Distressing content
There has not been any update on the 24-year-old’s physical condition, though the tournament did release a statement afterward.
“Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favor of the Argentinian,” the Colsanitas Cup’s official X account said. “We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery.”
Jones was born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia.
She is missing one finger on each hand and has seven toes.
“I try to use it as a positive and I see it as an advantage in many ways,” Jones said in 2021. “I don’t think I reached a low point with the syndrome. Of course, like any other tennis player, I’ve reached many low points in my life. You could say I proved the doctor wrong and I’m sure a good few other people as well.
“But you know what? I’m not bothered about proving people wrong. I’d rather prove to people you can switch the perspective there. I’m not playing out of revenge. I’m playing to have a positive impact for those who hopefully read my story. I do hope people can take some. I’d love to have a positive impact on people. I’d love people to take strength from my story. I’ve got so much more that I want to achieve and this is very much the start of my journey.”
Jones, ranked No. 129 in the world, has retired from 19 matches in her career — including two this year — often due to severe cramping, Sky Sports reported.
She has qualified for the Australian Open once and Wimbledon twice, but has yet to earn a grand slam victory.
Jones did earn a title at the Vacaria Open last month and did reach the semifinals in Cancun — a lower-level WTA 125 event — in February.
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