British tennis player Fran Jones has been forced to withdraw from the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota after collapsing in the middle of a match.
Jones, the British No 5, staggered to the ground after failing to return a serve from Argentina’s Julia Riera in the third set and was unable to return to play. She was taken off the court in a wheelchair.
The 24-year-old’s retirement from the tournament was confirmed in an online statement.
“Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian,” the Colsanitas Cup’s official X account said.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.”
Jones had appeared to be struggling with her breathing during the deciding set and had to be lifted into a wheelchair by her opponent and medics.
The British player has to deal with physical challenges on court after being born with the rare genetic condition ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia.
Jones is missing one finger on each hand and has only seven toes – finishing matches has been a challenge throughout her career, with Jones suffering bouts of severe cramp.
This is the 19th time in her career she has retired during a match and the second time this year.
The Briton had lost the first set 6-2 before winning the second 7-5 but was trailing 5-3 in the third before collapsing. Riera will now face America’s Iva Jovic in the round of 16.
In the US, British No 7 Heather Watson suffered a straight-sets defeat in the first round of the Charleston Open.
The 32-year-old was beaten 7-6, 6-4 by Belarusian world No 215 Iryna Shymanovich.
Watson saved three set points during a tight opener but could not capitalise on her one opportunity to seize the initiative during the tie break.
The world No 182 was broken four times in set two, including in her final two service games, as Shymanovich progressed to a last-32 meeting with top seed Jessica Pegula, the beaten finalist at last year’s US Open.
