British tennis star collapses on court and taken off in wheelchair in scary incident | Tennis | Sport
Britain’s Fran Jones was forced to retire from her first-round match in Bogota after collapsing on the court. The 24-year-old was attempting to serve while trailing 3-5 in the final set when she suddenly fell to the ground. Tournament officials and medics rushed over but the British No. 5 could not continue the match.
Jones was helped off the court in a wheelchair. The tournament later confirmed that she had withdrawn and her opponent, Julia Riera, advanced while leading 6-2 5-7 5-3.
A tournament statement on social media read: “Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian.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.”
Jones had been struggling throughout the final set in her Colsanitas Cup match. As she tossed the ball in the ninth game, she staggered forward and collapsed on the ground.
The 24-year-old was on the floor for a few minutes before leaving in a wheelchair.
It brings a disappointing end to Jones’ winning streak after the British No. 5 picked up the W75 Vacaria title last week, beating Leolia Jeanjean in the final.
She had a quick turnaround between the lower-level event in Vacaria and this week’s WTA 250 in Bogota, which may have had an effect on how she was feeling during the match.
The scary incident in Bogota marks the 19th retirement of the Jones’ career. The world No. 129 also had to retire mid-match at the recent Merida Open.
After advancing to the second round of the Colsanitas Cup via retirement, Julia Riera will now face America’s Iva Jovic.
Meanwhile, fellow Brit Heather Watson suffered defeat in the first round of the Charleston Open. Iryna Shymanovich won a tight tiebreak then broke Watson four times in the second set to win 7-6(8) 6-4.
Shymanovich will now meet top seed and world No. 4 Jessica Pegula, who comes into the tournament fresh off the back of a run to the Miami Open final.
