A distressing second unfolded throughout the first spherical of the Copa Colsanitas in Bogota, as fifth-ranked British WTA participant Francesca Jones collapsed on the court docket whereas trailing Julia Riera 5-3 within the deciding set. set. Unable to proceed, Jones was escorted off in a wheelchair and compelled to retire at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favor of her opponent.
Francesca Jones, photograph by si.gown, licensed beneath CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/).
The 24-year-old Jones was attempting to serve within the ninth recreation of the third set when she immediately collapsed on the court docket. She remained on the bottom as medical employees rushed to her support, with opponent Riera additionally aiding in lifting her right into a wheelchair.
The incident was particularly regarding, given Jones’ spectacular kind main as much as the match. Simply final week, she defeated Riera in straight units en path to claiming the W75 Vacaria title in Brazil—the eighth ITF title of her profession.
Recognized for her resilience, Jones has lengthy embraced the motto: “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” Born with EEC syndrome, a uncommon genetic situation, she has overcome important bodily challenges—together with having 4 fingers on every hand, 4 toes on her left foot, and three on her proper—to compete on the highest ranges of tennis.
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