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“They told me I wouldn’t be able to play tennis.” Francesca Jones, the player with 8 fingers, wins her first Grand Slam match

From Adevărul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • British tennis player Francesca Jones, who has eight fingers, achieved her first Grand Slam main draw victory at Roland Garros.
  • Jones overcame a 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 win against Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first round.
  • She has previously spoken about overcoming congenital malformation and a recent concussion, defying expectations that she could not play tennis.

British tennis player Francesca Jones has achieved a significant milestone, securing her first-ever Grand Slam main draw victory at Roland Garros. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 102nd in the WTA, defeated Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in a hard-fought match, with a final score of 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round.

They told me I would never be able to play tennis, so I thought it was time to do exactly the opposite. And to prove that I can do it.

· Francesca JonesSpeaking about her determination to succeed in tennis despite her congenital condition.

Jones, who was born with eight fingers on her hands and seven on her feet due to a rare condition known as EEC syndrome (ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip), has consistently defied expectations throughout her career. She has previously shared her determination to prove doubters wrong, stating, "They told me I would never be able to play tennis, so I thought it was time to do exactly the opposite. And to prove that I can do it."

Her journey has been marked by considerable adversity. In addition to her congenital malformation, which required early surgical procedures to manage, Jones suffered a severe concussion in recent months following an accident at the gym. This injury forced her to take a break from the sport, impacting her performance and ranking.

I'm not the type to cry during tournaments because I don't think it's a good idea, but if I think about what I've been through this year...

· Francesca JonesReflecting on her struggles after securing her first Grand Slam main draw victory.

Despite these challenges, Jones has demonstrated remarkable resilience. She recalled winning her first junior match at Wimbledon ten years ago, proudly stating that her "deformity is something I am proud of." Her racket has been modified over the years to accommodate her unique grip, allowing her to maintain stability and power on the court. This latest victory at Roland Garros marks a triumphant moment in her ongoing battle against the odds.

The deformity is something I am proud of. Many people told me I wouldn't even be able to hold a racket...

· Francesca JonesRecalling past challenges and her pride in her unique physical condition.
About this summary

Originally published by Adevărul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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