British tennis star collapses during her match and leaves court in a wheelchair in concerning scenes in Colombia
British tennis star Fran Jones had to be taken off court in a wheelchair after collapsing in the final set of her match in Colombia on Tuesday night.
The British No5 was facing Argentina’s Julia Riera in the first round of the Colsanitas Cup when she went to serve at 5-3 down in the third set.
She failed to complete her service motion before collapsing to the ground as she clutched at her head. Jones, 24, required on-court treatment before she was eventually helped into a wheelchair by the medical team.
She was quickly taken away for further assessment after retiring from the match.
A statement was released shortly afterwards by the tournament organisers that read: ‘Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.
‘We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery.’
Fran Jones collapsed to the ground and needed medical treatment after collapsing to the ground in the closing stages of her match on Tuesday night
Jones had to be lifted into a wheelchair by medics before leaving the court
Jones (right) is friends with Emma Raducanu, and the pair have played together for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup
Jones is currently ranked 129th in the world in women’s singles, and has a career-high ranking of 123 that she achieved last month.
She has managed to carve out a tennis career despite being born without two fingers and three toes due to the rare medical condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome.
Jones has made the first round of Wimbledon on two occasions in 2021 and 2024, and also featured in the opening round of the Australian Open in 2021.
She is yet to make it past qualifying at the French Open or US Open.
Jones is friends with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, and the pair were spotted out for lunch together last summer shortly after Raducanu was knocked out of Wimbledon.
Raducanu had received backlash from tennis fans after withdrawing from the mixed doubles with Andy Murray to bring his Wimbledon career to an abrupt end.
But she had the support of Jones as they took a stroll and dined together in London.
Jones and Raducanu have also played together for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup.
More to follow…
