British tennis player Fran Jones faced a distressing moment during her match at the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota, Colombia. The 24-year-old collapsed while playing against Argentina’s Julia Riera, prompting her to withdraw from the tournament.
The incident occurred in the third set when Jones appeared to struggle with her breathing. She fell to the ground and was unable to continue. Medical staff and her opponent assisted her off the court in a wheelchair. The official account for the Colsanitas Cup announced her withdrawal, stating, "Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 in favor of the Argentinian." They also wished her a speedy recovery.
Jones, currently ranked 129th in the world, has faced challenges throughout her career. She was born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that has resulted in her missing one finger on each hand and having only seven toes. This condition has made finishing matches difficult for her, as she often suffers from severe cramps.
At the time of her withdrawal, Jones had lost the first set 6-2 but managed to take the second set 7-5. However, she was trailing 5-3 in the third set, just two points away from defeat. Julia Riera will advance to the round of 16, where she will compete against the USA’s Iva Jovic.
Fans and fellow players are hoping for Jones’s quick recovery so she can return to the court soon.