Fran Jones wants her Australian Open “X Factor” story to be an inspiration to anyone dealing with health issues.
When she was 8, the British ace was given to a doctor said that her unusual physical condition would prevent her from becoming a tennis star.
The 20-year-old, who had a number of surgeries as a child, was born with the rare genetic disease of ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia. The British No. 5 has only three fingers and one thumb on each hand and three toes on one foot and four toes on the other.
Remarkably, she secured a spot at the Australian Open next month, beating Chinese Lu Jiajing 6-0 and 6-1 in the final qualifying round in Dubai.
« I try to use it as a positive and see it as an advantage in many ways, » said Jones. « I don’t think I’ve hit rock bottom with the syndrome. Of course, like any other tennis player, I’ve hit a lot of rock bottom points in my life.
» You could say I’ve proven the opposite to the doctor and I’m sure that a few other people too. But, you know what? I don’t mind proving the opposite to people, I rather want to prove to people that you can change perspective there. I don’t play for revenge. I play to have a positive impact on those who will hopefully read my story. I hope people can take some.
« I would love to have a positive impact on people. I would love it if people draw strength from my story. I have so much more that I want to achieve. and this is the beginning of my journey. «
When she booked a first place in a Grand Slam main draw, Jones joked, » It’s like I’ve got a call from Simon Cowell now – is he in California? – and I’m going to Australia now, not London for the show. «
Fran was stationed at Andy Murray’s former training base, the Sanchez Casal Academy in Barcelona, between the ages of 9 and 16.
Jones, the Describing herself as a perfectionist, she overcame a « minor nervous breakdown » after struggling with racket problems and split her fingers after traveling from the London cold to the Middle East for the qualification.
Her idol is the No. 1 and multiple slam semi-finalist J o Konta, who watched her closely while training at NTC headquarters.
« I definitely had to work a lot more on my physicality, » said Jones. “My feet work differently and that means I run differently. My balance is through my feet and toes in a different way. I’ve always had a very small grip and a light racket, and I’m reluctant to change that.
« I spent a lot of time at the gym gathering strength to support my muscles. Everyone has physical weaknesses – it unless you’re Cristiano Ronaldo or something. I’m just trying to improve mine as I would try to improve in other ways. «
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