Tennis Star at Career High Despite 22 Retirements

A 25-year-old British tennis player just achieved something most people thought was impossible: cracking the top 70 in world rankings while playing with three fingers on each hand.

Francesca Jones was born with ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that affects how her hands and feet formed. She has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, plus seven toes total.

Despite these physical differences, Jones now stands at a career-high No. 69 in the world. Two weeks ago, she scored her best career victory by defeating No. 15-ranked Emma Navarro in Auckland, proving she belongs among tennis's elite.

Her path hasn't been easy. Jones has retired from 22 matches due to injuries throughout her career, including her first-round Australian Open match this week after slipping and damaging her glute.

But here's what makes her story remarkable: she refuses to let setbacks define her. After lying face down on the court in tears, Jones walked into the press room two hours later with a clear plan forward.

"If I was someone that didn't know how to pick myself up quickly, I would be in trouble," Jones said through tears. "So I let it all out, kicked and screamed for an hour, and now I'm speaking about where we go from here."

Jones believes her frequent injuries stem not from her condition but from lacking proper physical training support early in her career. "My age might say 25, but I'm still quite early in my physical journey," she explained.

She admits her biggest challenge is knowing when to stop pushing. "I'm terrible at reining it in," Jones said, adding that her determination sometimes works against her body's limits.

Why This Inspires

Jones's refusal to be seen as just "a kid with a syndrome" highlights something powerful about human potential. She's built a professional tennis career that would be impressive for any athlete, let alone someone defying conventional wisdom about what's physically possible.

Her ranking proves that with the right support and unstoppable determination, barriers that seem insurmountable can become stepping stones. Jones isn't just playing tennis—she's redefining what's achievable.

The Australian Open didn't go as planned this year, but Jones has already moved on to planning her next tournament, her next win, and her next climb up the rankings.