- British star Fran Jones was into the final set of her match in Colombia
- She collapsed to the ground and left the court in a wheelchair after treatment
British tennis star Fran Jones had to be taken off court in a wheelchair after collapsing in the final set of her match in Colombia on Tuesday night.
The British No5 – who was born without two fingers and three toes due to the rare medical condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome, and was told to forget about playing tennis professionally by doctors – was facing Argentina’s Julia Riera in the first round of the Colsanitas Cup when she went to serve at 5-3 down in the third set.
She failed to complete her service motion before collapsing to the ground as she clutched at her head. Jones, 24, required on-court treatment before she was eventually helped into a wheelchair by the medical team.
She was quickly taken away for further assessment after retiring from the match.
A statement was released shortly afterwards by the tournament organisers that read: ‘Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.
‘We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery.’
Fran Jones collapsed to the ground and needed medical treatment after collapsing to the ground in the closing stages of her match on Tuesday night
Jones had to be lifted into a wheelchair by medics before leaving the court
Jones (circled in red) has represented Team GB alongside Emma Raducanu (third left) and Katie Boulter (third right)
Jones is currently ranked 129th in the world in women’s singles, and has a career-high ranking of 123 that she achieved last month.
Jones has made the first round of Wimbledon on two occasions in 2021 and 2024, and also featured in the opening round of the Australian Open in 2021.
She is yet to make it past qualifying at the French Open or US Open.
Speaking back in 2021 about how dealing with her medical condition has shaped her, Jones insisted it had only made her mentally stronger.
‘I’ve had experiences that many haven’t at my age, and I think that’s moulded 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 how defying a specialist who had told her she would never play professionally had driven her on, Jones added: ‘His comments played a massive part in my life decisions and career commitments to date.
‘I’ve always wanted to make my parents proud more than anything.’
Jones is close friends with fellow British star and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu
They have enjoyed some success while representing their country, with Team GB beating France last April (pictured)
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.
Jones and Raducanu have also spent time in each other’s company away from the court, and were spotted out for lunch together last summer shortly after Raducanu was knocked out of Wimbledon.
Raducanu had received backlash from tennis fans after withdrawing from the mixed doubles with Andy Murray to bring his Wimbledon career to an abrupt end.
But she had the support of Jones as they took a stroll and dined with one another in London.
