British tennis star Fran Jones had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair after collapsing in the final set of her match in Colombia on Tuesday night.
The British No 5 - who was born without two fingers and three toes due to the rare medical condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome, and was told to forget about playing tennis professionally by doctors - 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. Jones was playing in the Colombian capital of Bogota, which is approximately 2,640 metres above sea level. Significant altitude has caused problems for athletes in the past, although it is currently unknown if this was behind Jones' struggles.
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was released shortly afterwards by the tournament organisers that read: 'Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-,7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.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.'
The British No 5 - who was born without two fingers and three toes due to the rare medical condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome, and was told to forget about playing tennis professionally by doctors - 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. Jones was playing in the Colombian capital of Bogota, which is approximately 2,640 metres above sea level. Significant altitude has caused problems for athletes in the past, although it is currently unknown if this was behind Jones' struggles.
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was released shortly afterwards by the tournament organisers that read: 'Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2, 5-,7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.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.'
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