Tennis Player Dramatically Collapses Mid-Game and Leaves Court in Wheelchair
British tennis player Fran Jones has withdrawn from the Colsanitas Cup after collapsing midway through the women's tournament.
Jones, 24, fell on the court while playing against Argentina's Julia Riera as she attempted to serve late in the third set during the match in Bogota, Argentina, on Tuesday, April 1, as seen in a video posted on X.
Jones had been struggling to breathe before collapsing and was seen lying on her back and rolling to her side as medical staff tended to her. She was unable to finish the match and was escorted off the court in a wheelchair, U.K. outlets Sky News and BBC News reported.
Colsanitas Cup announced Jones' exit from the tournament afterward in a statement on X, 'Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 in favor of the Argentinian.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."
Jones was born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare genetic condition characterized by the absence or malformation of fingers and toes and facial clefts. She has one finger missing on each hand and seven toes altogether, per Sky News.
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The rising tennis star, who ranks 129th in the world, has had some challenges in her career relating to her condition, having suffered 'bouts of severe cramp.' She has retired from matches 19 times in total, including two times now this year, Sky News reported.
Jones' departure from the Colsanitas Cup comes after she beat Riera in straight sets the week prior in the tournament.
She wrote of winning on Instagram on Monday, March 31: 'Won a tournament this week but there is so much more to it than that… I try not to talk too much (let me finish) about 'the obvious' when it comes to my career and I; actions speak louder than words. That said, thank you tennis…'
"...Like any human will experience, challenges can often cause you to juggle with how to identify with your workplace, so obrigada Vacaria for all the kind words, and for reminding me for a moment or two why I started the sport.'
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In 2021, Jones' said that she has become mentally stronger in managing her medical condition while playing tennis.
'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, per the Daily Mail. 'It will have had an impact on my mental strength … and mindset as a whole … everyone goes through hardship and deals with adversity in their own way. Everyone's story makes a person who they are.'
PEOPLE has reached out to Jones' representative for comment.
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