Fran Jones, the British No.5, suffered a medical emergency during her first-round match against Julia Riera at the Colsanitas Cup in Bogotá, Colombia.
The 24-year-old collapsed on court while trailing 5-3 in the third set, prompting immediate medical attention and ultimately forcing her to retire.
The distressing moment unfolded when Jones attempted a serve but failed to make contact with the ball. She then clutched her head before losing her balance and collapsing onto the court.
Medical personnel rushed in to assist while a stunned crowd watched silently. Eventually, Jones was taken off the court in a wheelchair, with assistance from her opponent, Riera.
The Colsanitas Cup organizers later released a statement confirming Jones’ withdrawal: “Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 in favor of the Argentinian.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.”
Before the incident, Jones, ranked No.129 worldwide, had displayed resilience, returning from a first-set defeat (6-2) to win the second set 7-5. Her performance had been promising before the unfortunate turn of events.
Jones, who hails from Bradford, England, previously qualified for Wimbledon in 2023, where Petra Martic eliminated her in the first round.
She had achieved the same feat in 2021, but Coco Gauff stopped her.
Born with a rare genetic condition, Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome, Jones has defied medical expectations throughout her career. The condition resulted in missing fingers and toes, yet she pursued tennis despite being advised otherwise by specialists.
Reflecting on her journey in 2021, Jones stated, “I’ve had experiences that many haven’t at my age, and I think that’s molded me into the person I am today. It has impacted my mental strength, mentality, and overall mindset, but everyone faces hardships.”
She also credited a specialist’s discouraging advice as motivation to push forward in her career. “His comments played a massive part in my life decisions and career commitments. More than anything, I’ve always wanted to make my parents proud,” she added.
As fans and the tennis community await further updates on Jones’ condition, many have expressed hope for her speedy recovery and return to the court.
