
Britain's Jones says altitude sickness led to collapse mid-serve in Colombia
April 2 (Reuters) - Briton Francesca Jones said playing in Bogota without acclimatising to the high altitude led to her collapse mid-serve at the Colsanitas Cup, where she was taken off court in a wheelchair.
Jones, 24, was losing 6-2 5-7 5-3 to Argentina's Julia Riera when the Briton suddenly staggered after tossing the ball up to serve before collapsing on the court as tournament officials rushed to her side.
Bogota is over 2,600 metres (8,500 feet) above sea level and can cause altitude sickness.
"After winning the event in Brazil on Sunday, our total trip took over 24 hours, with minimal rest and recovery from a long week. Bogota is renowned for its altitude and often takes a few days to adapt," Jones said on Instagram on Wednesday.
Jones added that she had been unable to practise before her match due to rain.
"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."
Jones said they conducted multiple tests which concluded her "heart worked a little too hard" but that there was no long-term impact on her health.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
21 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Emma Raducanu relaxed about British number one status after progress at Queen's
The 22-year-old will officially become number one on Monday after Katie Boulter bowed out with a 2-6 6-3 6-2 second-round defeat to Russian fifth seed Diana Shnaider, two years to the day since she supplanted 2021 US Open winner Raducanu. And while she has played down her expectations ahead of this week, pointing to her ongoing back issues, Raducanu's win also ensured she would be the last Briton left standing in this new WTA 500 event boasting a £1million prize pot. Emma Raducanu, right, shakes hands with Rebecca Sramkova after her last-16 win at Queen's Club (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'It's nice (number one),' said Raducanu, who paired up with Boulter for the first time in the doubles earlier this week. 'But I wouldn't say it's the most important thing for me. 'Having Katie in front it was nice for me to have something to chase, and now I'm sure she's going to enjoy that with me. The grass season is still young and so is the rest of the season. 'We have a healthy competition between us two. I want to see her do well, she wants to see me do well. It was nice to play doubles with her this week.' The timing of this new tournament – the first time Queen's has hosted women's tennis in 52 years – means Boulter is down points because she won Nottingham last year in the same week, allowing Raducanu to leapfrog her for the time being. Raducanu looked to be cruising after claiming her first break in the opening game before winning the following four. Lifting each other up 🇬🇧❤️ Emma Raducanu reacts to becoming British No.1 again on Monday — LTA (@the_LTA) June 12, 2025 But Sramkova was determined to stay in it, saving two set points before breaking the Briton's serve in the sixth, eventually reducing the deficit to 5-4 before Raducanu regrouped, holding to love to seal the first set. It was a similar story in the second as Raducanu swiftly sealed a double break then made it 4-0. Then the Slovakian, four places lower on the WTA rankings than number 37 Raducanu, dug deep again, saving three break points in the fifth game to win her first of the set before the home favourite ensured she was a game away with a backhand to hold the sixth. And while she could not close out the match at the first time of asking, Raducanu would not be denied again as another break sealed her place in the last eight – and a meeting with top seed Qinwen Zheng. Raducanu, has – alongside Boulter – on more than one occasion found herself the target of stalkers. She welcomed the news that Wimbledon on Thursday affirmed athlete security was a top priority, though added 'whenever I've played at Wimbledon I felt very well protected, very safe.' Katie Boulter was beaten by Diana Shnaider (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Boulter said she enjoyed 'some of the best grass court tennis I have played' in the first set but was undone again by her first serves in the next two, double-faulting nine times in the match. She added: 'I'm very happy for (Raducanu) to be British number one but at the same time, it's going to be fun for me to chase her now, and I think she's been doing that for a while. Now it's kind of my turn.' Briton Heather Watson also bowed out in the last 16 after she was beaten 6-4 6-2 by former Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Elena Rybakina.


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Czech Republic U21 1 England U21 3: Harvey Elliott sends message to Slot as Three Lions get Euros defence off to flyer
HARV TIME SHOW Czech Republic U21 1 England U21 3: Harvey Elliott sends message to Slot as Three Lions get Euros defence off to flyer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HARVEY ELLIOTT reminded Arne Slot of his capabilities after his stunner for England U21s helped get their Euros defence off to a flyer. The star, 22, has warned Liverpool he's not prepared to 'waste' his career sitting on the bench. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Harvey Elliott celebrates his opener as he showed what he can do Credit: Getty 5 Charlie Cresswell soared to nod England's clincher Credit: Reuters 5 Alex Scott wore a chin strap to protect his injured jaw Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And he showed his potential suitors exactly what he is capable of as his strike helped down Czech Republic at the MOL Arena in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia. Elliott ensured England led at the break and Jonathan Rowe doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. But Czech hit back instantly to set up a tense second period, but the Young Lions secured the 3-1 win thanks to Charlie Cresswell, who along with Elliott are the only survivors from the triumphant 2023 team. Omari Hutchinson looked the liveliest as Lee Carsley's side started strongest but they failed to build on that as momentum swung for the Czechs. Alarm bells were ringing when Vaclav Sejk just missed Martin Suchomel's low cross and they survived another scare when James Beadle pushed over the unmarked Stepan Chaloupek's header. There was another let-off when a corner found Patrik Vydra free in the box and his strike deflected off Jarrell Quansah but Beadle came to the rescue again. But England took the lead against the run of play thanks to great work from skipper James McAtee. The Manchester City ace kept alive Tino Livramento's looping cross and he pulled it back from the byline for Elliott to run on to and rifle home. 5 England skipper James McAtee fends off Vaclav Sejk Credit: Reuters BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK England beat Czech Republic 2-0 two years ago to begin their journey to European glory and the omens were looking good for a repeat moments after half time. Twinkle-toed Livramento, the best performer for the Young Lions, produced a bit of trickery before his low cross was flicked towards goal by Rowe. Thomas Tuchel discusses England future after World Cup It looked to be a relatively comfortable stop for goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, but instead he bundled it into his own net. However, hopes of a seventh-straight Euros clean sheet were quickly extinguished as Czech produced an instant response. A dangerous cross from captain Vaclav Sejk was nodded home by Daniel Fila and suddenly the Young Lions were on the back foot. Carsley's men stood firm to weather the storm and began to look lively on the counter after the introductions of Ethan Nwaneri and Jay Stansfield. Arsenal teen Nwaneri was straight into the twists and turns as Carsley's men started to turn the screw. And they got their reward when Cresswell rose highest to head home Alex Scott's corner late on to get England off to a winning start. Bournemouth midfielder Scott certainly let his feet do the talking - as he played with a chin strap o protect his broken jaw. They now travel to Nitra on Sunday knowing a victory over Slovenia would cement them a spot in the knockouts.


South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Emma Raducanu set to become British number one after Katie Boulter defeat
Boulter, who replaced 2021 US Open winner Raducanu in the top spot exactly two years ago, looked sharp in her first set, saving two break points, breaking the Russian's serve twice, and hitting 10 winners. But, after landing close to three quarters of her first serves in the first set, the issues that had plagued Boulter in her gritty 7-6 (4) 1-6 6-4 victory over Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic on Monday returned to haunt her in the second and third sets on an afternoon the Briton double-faulted nine times. Our fifth seed marches 🔛 An impressive comeback from Diana Shnaider vs Boulter sees her into the last eight!@WTA | #HSBCChampionships — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 12, 2025 'I actually think today, the first set was some of the best grass court tennis I have played,' said Boulter, who now turns her attention to defending her title at Nottingham next week. 'I felt a lot sharper on the ball than I did in my first round. I think it's just week by week. I mean, look, grass court tennis is very quick. 'Anything can happen. As you can see today, the match was very topsy-turvy. I find that a lot on grass. It's just racking up the wins and continuing, trusting and believing week in, week out. You know, there are going to be some tough losses along the way, and that's kind of tennis.' The timing of this new tournament – the first time Queen's has hosted women's tennis in 52 years – means Boulter is down points, because she won Nottingham last year in the same week, allowing Raducanu to just usurp her for the time being. Boulter was largely unbothered by the development, even looking forward to the challenge, adding: 'Tennis is a funny one. You know, some people lose 250 points one week, some people lose zero, some people lose 100. 'It's something that happens every single week. I'm very well aware that I lost 250 this week, because Nottingham was next week and the scheduling's been different. 'Of course I personally want to be getting my ranking moving in the right direction. I'm very happy for her to be British number one, but at the same time, it's going to be fun for me to chase her now, and I think she's been doing that for a while. Now it's kind of my turn.' Compatriot Heather Watson also bowed out in the last-16 after she was beaten 6-4 6-2 by former Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Elena Rybakina.