An emotional Francesca Jones vowed to bounce back as Britain’s No. 3 star lost her chance to win her first main draw match at the Australian Open due to injury.
Jones cried on the court with a hip problem during her first-round match against Polish qualifier Linda Klimovicova.
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The distraught 25-year-old tried to keep playing but eventually gave up when trailing 6-2 3-2.
The world number 71 suffers from a rare genetic disorder that means she plays with a modified grip, defying doctors who have said she will never play professionally.
“If I was a guy who didn’t know how to pick himself up quickly, I wouldn’t have the ability to get to where I am now,” Jones said.
Jones missed last week’s Auckland international with a groin injury, but a hip problem caused her to withdraw from her match against Klimovikova.
Jones was born with ectodermal dysplasia (EEC), which means he has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on his right foot and four on his left foot.
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After a difficult 2024, in which she found herself outside the top 150 in the world, Jones plans to retire in 2025 if her ranking does not improve.
Instead, she enjoyed a life-changing season that breathed new life into her tennis career.
Jones has entered the Australian Open main draw directly for the first time, but it marks a sad exit from a proud moment.
The atmosphere on the court was tense, and Jones sobbed loudly while receiving treatment in the third set.
The crowd applauded Jones sympathetically as she limped away with a towel covering her head.
This is the 16th time she has withdrawn from a game since the start of the 2023 season.
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“I don’t think any of the retirements are directly related to the so-called ‘kids with the syndrome,'” Jones said.
“I mean, I don’t think I had the right team in place and the expertise that I needed when I was young.
“So my age may be 25, but I’m still in the early stages of my physical journey.”
‘I don’t have the answer’ – Auger-Aliassime stumped by cramps
Auger-Aliassime reaches Melbourne quarter-finals in 2022 [Getty Images]
Early retirements were the theme of day two in Melbourne, with men’s eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and qualifier Marina Starcusic (who was taken off in a wheelchair) both forced to retire due to cramps.
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Temperatures in Melbourne reach 30 degrees Celsius, but it’s common for players to compete in even higher temperatures.
By mid-afternoon, the Australian Open had a heat stress rating of 1.4 out of 5 – considered “temperature playing conditions”.
Canada’s Auger-Aliassime enters the Australian Open as a panellist ready to challenge clear favorites Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the men’s title.
The 25-year-old broke into the top five in the world after a stellar season last season, including reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open.
But despite his opening set against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, he fell at the first hurdle in Melbourne.
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“I don’t remember anything like this ever happening in my life [happening this] Early in the game, early in the game,” Auger-Aliassime said after bowing out trailing 3-6 6-4 6-4.
“I don’t have all the answers right now.”
Stakucic makes main draw debut at Australian Open [Getty Images]
Cramps were at the root of Starcusic’s dramatic scenes.
The Canadian player, ranked 127th in the world, faced Australian Priscilla Hon in the first round and lost in the third set.
Ice did not improve the cramps in Stacusic’s leg, forcing her to withdraw after trailing 1-6 6-4 5-3.
Medics and a judge helped the 21-year-old into a wheelchair before she was taken off the court.
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‘Crams are the worst feeling’ – analysis
2008 Australian Open semi-finalist and former world number 5 Daniela Hantuchova broadcast live on BBC Radio 5
“It can be very difficult [the conditions] That’s what you’d expect from Melbourne, but I have to say it wasn’t that extreme today.
“Cramping can be caused by not drinking enough water the night before or eating too much.
“Sometimes it has a lot to do with nerves, when you spend too much mental energy out there.
“As a player, it’s the worst feeling. You know people are watching and all pre-season has been working towards this moment, so you have to feel really bad for Felix and Marina.”