Fran Jones left the final set of her match in Colombia on Tuesday night in a wheelchair.
The British tennis star was facing Argentina’s Julia Riera in the first round of the Colsanitas Cup when she approached the serve at 5-3 down in the third set.
Unfortunately, before she could complete the serve she collapsed to the ground, clutching her head in evident distress.
She required on-court treatment before the medical team, and her opponent Riera, assisted her into a wheelchair in which she was taken away for further assessment.
Jones was competing in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, which stands at 2,640 meters above sea level.
This significant altitude has historically posed challenges for athletes, though it remains uncertain if this was a factor in Jones’ struggle during the match.
A statement was released shortly afterward by the tournament organizers that read: “Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 in favor of the Argentinian.
“We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery.”
Currently ranked 129th in the world in women’s singles, Jones achieved a career-high ranking of 123 last month.
She has made it to the first round of Wimbledon twice, in 2021 and 2024, and also competed in the opening round of the Australian Open in 2021.
However, she is yet to overcome the qualifying rounds at the French Open or US Open.
The British No. 5 has faced her own set of challenges from the beginning; she was born without two fingers and three toes due to the rare medical condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome.
GettyJones has a career-high singles ranking of No. 123 by the WTA[/caption]
Doctors once advised her to abandon her dreams of playing tennis professionally, yet she persevered against the odds.
In 2021, reflecting on her life journey, Jones shared how her condition had only strengthened her resilience.
“I’ve had experiences that many haven’t at my age, and I think that’s molded me into the person I am today,” she said.
“It will have had an impact on my mental strength and my mentality and mindset as a whole, but I am sure everyone goes through hardship and deals with adversity in their own way. Everyone’s story makes a person who they are.”
Explaining what drives her, she revealed how defying a specialist who told her she would never play professionally has fuelled her ambitions.
“His comments played a massive part in my life decisions and career commitments to date,” Jones explained.
“I’ve always wanted to make my parents proud more than anything.”
Jones is friends with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, and they have played together for Great Britain alongside Katie Boulter in the Billie Jean King Cup.
