Britain’s Jones breaks through after ‘hardest moment of career’

Britain’s Francesca Jones has always defied the odds to play elite-level tennis – but this season has tested her resilience like never before.

On Sunday, she reached another milestone in a career that she was once told by doctors not to pursue.

Jones battled back from a set and a break down to beat Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 and reach the French Open second round – and claim her first Grand Slam match win in the process.

Jones was born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EEC) and plays with a modified racquet grip.

Earlier this year, she suffered lingering concussion symptoms following a freak gym accident in which the locking mechanism on a leg-press machine failed and a 45kg weight crashed onto her head and knee.

“I would say this has been arguably the hardest moment of my career, this year,” Jones told BBC Sport.

“Having clawed my way back [to win the match], it kind of makes it better.

“It shows that, irrespective of the difficulties and adversity, I’m still going to keep trying to play chess with myself and find a way forward.”

Jones had not managed to win in six first-round appearances across the four Grand Slams – although this was her first main-draw match at Roland Garros.

She is unique among British players in that she grew up playing on clay, having left Bradford aged 10 to move to Barcelona, and has achieved her greatest successes on the surface.

But her 2026 season has been heavily disrupted by physical issues. Forced to retire from her opening match at the Australian Open in January because of a torn muscle in her hip, Jones suffered her gym accident just as she neared a return to full fitness.

“Physically I was very lucky to come out of it the way that I did,” Jones told BBC Sport before the tournament.

“The hospital said to me I was lucky not to be in surgery or have a brain bleed with the way it happened.”

The 25-year-old was taken to hospital with a wound on her head and later began suffering from headaches and dizziness – symptoms consistent with concussion.

But Jones said the emotional toll was just as impactful as the physical damage.

“It’s been such a stop-start year, two steps forward, two steps back,” she said.

“For someone with my character, if I feel unproductive it’s a huge difficulty for me.”

After winning her first WTA 125 title and reaching 65th in the rankings in 2025, Jones’ injury issues this year have seen her fall outside the world’s top 100.

Having dropped to 105th in the world, Jones squeezed into the main draw at Roland Garros after some higher-ranked players withdrew.

But she has seized her opportunity, defeating former top-10 player Haddad Maia to set up a second-round meeting with Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova.

The significance of the victory was clear for all to see as a tearful Jones celebrated her achievement with her parents after coming through one of the most challenging periods of her career.

“Normally I’m one to say you shouldn’t cry until the tournament is over, but I think everything I’ve been through this year, it’s really been challenging,” Jones added.

“[It’s been] really tough on my parents. Throughout the whole concussion process they’ve been on the other side of the world. They have suffered with me, even from a distance.

“The emotion for me isn’t about the bigger picture. It’s much more about how tough this year has been.”