British tennis player Fran Jones collapses mid-match in high-altitude Bogota, leaving in a wheelchair
British tennis star Fran Jones endured a terrifying collapse mid-match at the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota, leaving the court in a wheelchair after struggling to cope with the high altitude. The 24-year-old, who had won a tournament in Brazil just days earlier, was visibly struggling before she fell to the ground late in the deciding set against Argentina’s Julia Riera.
Jones, ranked 129 in the world, had fought back from losing the opening set 6-2 to take the second 7-5, but trailed 5-3 in the third when disaster struck. She stumbled during her serve, her vision blurred, before crumpling onto the court. Medics and Riera rushed to her aid, lifting her into a wheelchair as she was taken away for medical attention.
Altitude Takes Its Toll
Bogota, sitting at a staggering 2,600 metres (8,500 feet) above sea level, is notorious for causing altitude sickness, and Jones admitted she had no time to acclimatise before the match.
“After winning in Brazil on Sunday, our total trip took over 24 hours, with minimal rest and recovery from a long week,” she explained on Instagram. “Bogota is renowned for its altitude and often takes a few days to adapt.”
Her preparation was further hampered by bad weather, preventing her from training on-site. “As the match went on, I worked hard to stay competitive while trying to get used to the conditions but progressively struggled; blurry vision eventually led to collapsing, with no cramp having occurred,” she said.
Doctors later confirmed that while her heart had been “working a little too hard,” there were no long-term concerns for her health.
A Career Plagued by Physical Challenges
Jones, born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, has only three fingers on each hand and seven toes. Despite defying the odds in her career, she has frequently struggled with match endurance, retiring mid-match 19 times—including twice this year alone—often due to severe cramping.
Her latest exit was confirmed by the tournament’s official X account: “Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.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.”
What’s Next?
With Jones out, Riera advances to face American Iva Jovic in the next round. Meanwhile, British No. 3 Heather Watson also suffered disappointment, bowing out of the Charleston Open in straight sets to Belarusian Iryna Shymanovich.
Watson fought hard in a gruelling first-set tiebreak but failed to capitalise on key opportunities, eventually falling 7-6 (10-8), 6-4. Shymanovich now faces top seed Jessica Pegula in the round of 32.
For Jones, attention now turns to recovery. With her history of mid-match retirements, questions remain over whether her body can withstand the physical toll of top-level tennis. But one thing is certain—her resilience remains unshaken.
