British tennis player Francesca ‘Fran’ Jones, who was born with four fingers on each hand as a result of an abnormality in embryonic development, passed the first round of the Australian Open qualifying round, the first big tournament you dream of playing in.
“My syndrome is very rare. It is complicated because there are numerous symptoms. Mine are that I have three toes on my right foot, four on the left and four on each hand ”, The 20-year-old tennis player explained in an interview published on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) website.
“The doctors told me that I couldn’t play tennis. And my reaction was: ‘Since you said that, I’m going to prove them wrong,’ he added in a determined voice.
“Let’s say that my body is not designed to be that of an athlete, but for me that does not mean that it cannot be. Even a Rolls Royce is built from scratch, ”insisted the tennis player, currently ranked 241 in the women’s ranking.
The genetic disease he has is a form of ectrodactyly, which is characterized by a malformation of the limbs, and is “a great balance problem”.
“When you have fewer toes, it is more difficult to put weight on your feet,” he explains, specifying that due to this disease he has a greater risk of injury.
But there are also “the looks, the questions, the sympathy … or on the contrary, the hatred” that it provokes.
Jones has overcome all these physical obstacles, which has also led him to build a strong character.
And his appearances at Wimbledon (eliminated in the first round of the qualifying round in 2018 and 2019) were recorded as two of the most important moments of his life.
Hearing people shout your name is the best. Feeling supported ”, she highlights.
After eliminating the Romanian Monica Niculescu (144 of the WTA, former top 30) in the first round of the Australian Open, which takes place in Dubai due to sanitary restrictions, the British will face the Croatian Jana Fett (N. 209) to continue dreaming of being for the first time in his career in the main draw of a Grand Slam (February 8-21).
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