Latest news with #EctrodactylyEctodermalDysplasia
Fox News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
British tennis pro born with rare genetic disorder collapses mid-match in terrifying scene
British tennis player Francesca Jones was taken off the court in a wheelchair on Tuesday after she collapsed on the ground mid-match at the Copa Colsanitas tournament in Colombia. The terrifying scene unfolded in the third set of her Round of 32 match. Jones, 24, was preparing to serve against her opponent, Julia Riera of Argentina, when she appeared to lose her balance and stumble after tossing the ball in the air. Jones fell onto the ground, where she stayed as officials ran to her aide. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the sudden collapse, but Riera and medical staff picked Jones up and placed her into a wheelchair. Jones was forced to retire from the tournament, and later took to Instagram to explain the cause of Tuesday's scene. "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. Unfortunately upon our arrival Monday afternoon we were unable to practice due to rain and this meant that aside from my low-level pre match warm up, my first exposure to the limited oxygen levels at a high intensity was my match," she explained in a post to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday. "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 went on to explain that testing showed that her heart "worked a little too hard." She noted that there were no long-term issues as a result of the incident. "Bogota is one of my favorite events of the year and I hope to reconnect in 2026 under different circumstances. After a few days rest, I will continue to build on the improvements made to date this season. Thank you for the messages and concern," she concluded. Jones was born with a rare genetic condition called Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, a condition that causes the hands and feet to develop abnormally. She has seven toes and is missing a finger on each hand. Despite the odds stacked against her, Jones has seen great success on the tennis court and has spoken openly about her journey. She is currently ranked No. 129 on the WTA and has won eight ITF singles titles. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
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.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Related: Iga Świątek Verbally Harassed by 'Aggressive' Fan During Miami Open Practice 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.' Related: Rival Teen Basketball Players Now 'Brothers for Life' After One Saves the Other from Cardiac Arrest at Game (Exclusive) Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 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. Read the original article on People
Sky News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
British tennis player Fran Jones helped off court after collapsing during match
British tennis player Fran Jones was forced to withdraw from a tournament in Colombia after collapsing during a match against Argentina's Julia Riera. The 24-year-old staggered to the ground in the third set of the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota and was unable to continue playing. She had to be helped from the court in a wheelchair. "Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian," the Colsanitas Cup's official X account said. "We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery." During the match, she had appeared to be struggling with her breathing and lay on the floor before being lifted into a wheelchair by medics and her opponent, then taken off court. Jones is ranked 129 in the world. She was born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia. She is missing one finger on each hand and has only seven toes. Finishing matches has been a challenge throughout her career, with Jones often suffering bouts of severe cramp. Jones had lost the opening set 6-2 before recovering to take the second 7-5, but was trailing 5-3 in the third, two points away from defeat. Riera will next face the USA's Iva Jovic in the round of 16.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
British tennis player Fran Jones helped off court after collapsing during match
British tennis player Fran Jones was forced to withdraw from a tournament in Colombia after collapsing during a match against Argentina's Julia Riera. The 24-year-old staggered to the ground in the third set of the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota and was unable to continue playing. She had to be helped from the court in a wheelchair. "Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian," the Colsanitas Cup's official X account said. "We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery." During the match, she had appeared to be struggling with her breathing and lay on the floor before being lifted into a wheelchair by medics and her opponent, then taken off court. Read more from Sky News: Jones is ranked 129 in the world. She was born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia. She is missing one finger on each hand and has only seven toes. Finishing matches has been a challenge throughout her career, with Jones often suffering bouts of severe cramp. Jones had lost the opening set 6-2 before recovering to take the second 7-5, but was trailing 5-3 in the third, two points away from defeat. Riera will next face the USA's Iva Jovic in the round of 16.
