Heartbreak for Francesca Jones at Viking Open, but youngster insists ‘I will be persistent’

Francesca Jones is not prepared to give up searching for ways to help her overcome the extraordinary challenges she faces after her Viking Open hopes in Nottingham ended in heartbreak.
The 20-year-old suffers from a congenital condition which means she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on one foot and four toes on the other.
That has not stopped her from making good progress in the professional game, as she made her Grand Slam debut at this year’s Australian Open, but the side effects of her syndrome can be a problem.
All about the finer details 🌱🖌️#VikingOpen pic.twitter.com/lTec6g6cSW
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 7, 2021
Jones was on course for the second round in Nottingham as she led Georgina Garcia Perez 3-1 in the deciding set of their first-round match.
But a medical timeout for the Spaniard resulted in Jones suffering from full body cramps and she could not recover as Garcia Perez claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.
It has happened before and Jones, who could be handed a Wimbledon wild card next week, is determined to get to the bottom of the problem.
“This is something that my team have been working on to get to the bottom of it,” she said. “You have to appreciate I load my feet in a different way, I hold the racket in a different way.
“I am not going to say this is new for me, it’s not. It is very inconvenient that it has happened today and very hurtful and upsetting it happened when I was cruising in that third set.
“I was feeling comfortable. It is not new and we are trying to get to the bottom of it.
“I can’t leave any stone unturned, I have to keep getting to the bottom of things that come up with me and keep trying to find a way to overcome them.
“I know what position I am in, I know it might take me a little bit longer than others to get to where I know I can be because of the challenges I face but I have got to be patient and try and be objective and keep going.
“That is difficult right now but I will be persistent.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas labelled a dream final
It is almost time to settle the new World No 1.
-
Australian Open
Inside story on the technology propelling Stefanos Tsitsipas to the top
Adidas have taken its tennis offering to a new level with the release of their Adizero Cybersonic tennis shoe.
-
News
Australian Open day 12 wrap: Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas set popcorn final
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fourth successive Australian Open title in men’s wheelchair doubles.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina made Australian Open favourite despite poor record against Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina’s experience of winning a Grand Slam gives her the edge.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open men’s final info, form, H2H, what they said, preview: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Novak Djokovic
Get all the info ahead of the Australian Open men’s final.
-
Australian Open
WATCH: Emotional Novak Djokovic makes his point at press conference
Novak Djokovic admitted he has been shaken by the storm around his father after pro-Russian flag photo.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic hopes to draw a line under Russian flag controversy
Novak Djokovic has released a statement clarifying the family position.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka in control of her own Australian Open destiny: ‘I’m my psychologist’
Aryna Sabalenka will take on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic stays in hunt for La Decima at Australian Open despite meltdown, tantrum, unforced errors galore
Novak Djokovic one Australian Open win away from La Decima.
-
News
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid do it again as they win fourth Australian Open title in a row
The pair were dominant in victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.