Fran Jones says her ‘heart worked a little too hard' after on-court collapse
British number five Fran Jones has revealed her on-court collapse in Bogota came after a lack of acclimatisation meant her 'heart worked a little too hard'.
The 24-year-old, fresh from winning her eighth career title in Brazil over the weekend, was two points from defeat in her round of 32 match with Julia Riera when she staggered while attempting to serve before falling to the floor.
She was taken out on a wheelchair and withdrew from the tournament.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday she reassured supporters over her health and blamed the episode on difficult preparations that denied her adequate conditioning time in Colombia.
Jones explained that she spent 24 hours travelling after her win in Brazil and was unable to train in the high altitude of Bogota on Monday due to rain.
She posted on her Instagram story: 'Aside from my low-level pre-match warm-up, my first exposure to the limited oxygen levels at a high-intensity was my match. As the match went on, I worked hard to give myself the opportunity to stay competitive while trying to get used to the conditions but progressively struggled; blurry vision eventually leading to collapsing, with no cramp having occurred.
'Overnight we conducted multiple studies and it seems my heart worked a little too hard on the day but thankfully no longer term impact. After a few days rest, I will continue to build on the improvements made to date this season.'
Jones, who is ranked 129 in the world, has to deal with physical challenges on court after being born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia.
She is missing one finger on each hand and has only seven toes, and finishing matches has been a challenge throughout her career, with Jones suffering bouts of severe cramp. This was the 19th time in her career she has retired during a match and the second time this year.
In the US, British number seven Heather Watson suffered a straight-sets defeat in the first round of the Charleston Open.
The 32-year-old was beaten 7-6 (8) 6-4 by Belarusian world number 215 Iryna Shymanovich.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss
He insisted that Scotland are still massive favourites against his 205th-ranked minnows KEEP IT UP KEEP IT UP 'I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIECHTENSTEIN boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off suggestions Scotland have a goalkeeper crisis and said: 'I wish I had those kinds of problems!' Scotland face the tiny Alpine nation — ranked 205th in the world — in a friendly in Vaduz tomorrow night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Liechtenstein boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off Scotland's injury crisis in goal Credit: PA 3 Angus Gunn went off after just six minutes in Friday's defeat to Iceland Credit: PA 3 Robby McCrorie was injured in the warmup and joins Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark and Gunn on the sidelines Credit: Ger Harley/Sportpix/Sipa USA Steve Clarke's squad in disarray after injuries to Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie. That means Celtic-bound Ross Doohan is likely to come straight in for his debut. But Funfstuck said: 'I'd love to have the problems the Scottish coach has! 'Scotland have a good goalkeeping tradition and they will have good goalkeepers in their younger years who will have big careers. 'They have very good players, a good structure and a good coach. 'We have to focus on ourselves and try to develop our football, with clear principles and ideas. That's our goal. 'Travelling back from our match in Wales we saw some of the Scottish supporters who were already on the way to Liechtenstein. 'British football, and Scottish football in particular, is special. It has undergone a huge development in the league and the national team. 'The national team has created a buzz and we have great respect for the Scottish team. 'They are extremely good and individually strong and we're looking forward to meeting them. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd 'We know the clear positioning of our side and Scotland — we are clear outsiders, the absolute underdog. 'But we showed against Wales on Friday night that it's not easy to play against us. 'We made it difficult for them and we want to try to show the same energy and power against Scotland.' Clarke's side are aiming to bounce back after the 3-1 loss to Iceland on Friday and Funfstuck — whose side went down 3-0 in Cardiff — added: 'I would have preferred that Scotland had won against Iceland, I'm honest about that. 'But Iceland have a good team with a good individual quality — Scotland against Iceland is an open match. 'It doesn't change the fact that Scotland are a very good team. 'They will have a lot of fans here and they will really want to present a spectacle for them.' The majority of Liechtenstein's players are part-timers who play in the Swiss and Austrian third and fourth tiers. Midfielder Simon Luchinger, who's just signed for Austrian Second Division side Schwarz-Weiss Bregenz, admits he'll have his own Scottish backing tonight. The 22-year-old — who'll win his 30th cap — said: 'When I was at St Francis University in Pittsburgh in the USA. I played alongside a Scottish player called Patrick Heron. 'I haven't seen him for more than three years but he is coming to the match in Vaduz so it will be great to see him. 'I love the intensity and passion of British football. We have a little more anticipation than usual about this match. 'It was a highlight for me to play in Wales and playing Scotland at home will be another positive.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations
Emma Raducanu felt 'pretty good' after completing her first rigorous grass-court training session of the season as she manages an ongoing back issue in the build-up to Wimbledon. The 2021 US Open champion, who suffered a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, has been hindered by persistent spasming for much of 2025. She is set to play at Queens this week, with grand slam action at the All England Club scheduled to start on Monday, June 30. 'I got back (from Paris) last week and then I got straight back on the court,' Raducanu told a press conference. 'I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep. But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass. 'I can't really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it's something that comes and goes. 'It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what's in front of me 'Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can't say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today.' British number two Raducanu, who is ranked 41st in the world, was dismantled 6-1 6-2 by reigning champion Swiatek at Roland Garros. Subject to overcoming a qualifier, she could face current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round at Queens, while she is set to pair up with British number one Katie Boulter in the doubles. 'Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive,' the 22-year-old said. 'I really like playing with Katie. We've practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties.'
Leader Live
5 hours ago
- Leader Live
Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations
The 2021 US Open champion, who suffered a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, has been hindered by persistent spasming for much of 2025. She is set to play at Queens this week, with grand slam action at the All England Club scheduled to start on Monday, June 30. 'I got back (from Paris) last week and then I got straight back on the court,' Raducanu told a press conference. 'I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep. But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass. 'I can't really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it's something that comes and goes. 'It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what's in front of me 'Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can't say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today.' British number two Raducanu, who is ranked 41st in the world, was dismantled 6-1 6-2 by reigning champion Swiatek at Roland Garros. Subject to overcoming a qualifier, she could face current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round at Queens, while she is set to pair up with British number one Katie Boulter in the doubles. 'Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive,' the 22-year-old said. 'I really like playing with Katie. We've practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties.'
