Hard work pays off for Bradford’s Francesca Jones as she prepares to make grand slam debut at Australian Open

NOT SURPRISINGLY, yesterday proved to be a rather unique day for Yorkshire-born rising tennis star, Francesca Jones.
ON THE RISE: Francesca Jones plays against Jodie Burrage in  the Battle of the Brits Premier League at the National Tennis Centre oin December. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images for LTAON THE RISE: Francesca Jones plays against Jodie Burrage in  the Battle of the Brits Premier League at the National Tennis Centre oin December. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images for LTA
ON THE RISE: Francesca Jones plays against Jodie Burrage in the Battle of the Brits Premier League at the National Tennis Centre oin December. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images for LTA

After all, it is not every day that you seal qualification to the first grand slam of your young career, sealing a place at next month’s Australian Open via the final qualifying round in Dubai.

It took the 20-year-old a little over an hour to see off China’s Lu Jia-jing 6-0 6-1 to clinch a spot in the first round, coming just 48 hours after winning her first grand slam qualifying match over former top-30 player Monica Niculescu.

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A battling 7-6 (7) 2-6 6-1 victory over Jana Fett doubled her victory tally before she booked her seat on the plane to Melbourne later this week in emphatic style over Lu.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Francesca Jones plays a forehand against Heather Watson in the Battle of the Brits Premier League last month. Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images for LTA.LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Francesca Jones plays a forehand against Heather Watson in the Battle of the Brits Premier League last month. Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images for LTA.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Francesca Jones plays a forehand against Heather Watson in the Battle of the Brits Premier League last month. Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images for LTA.

Online footage of her biggest win to date couldn’t hide the youngster’s delight at her latest achievement, but she admitted last night that competing at her first grand slam will probably only really sink in once she is on the plane Down Under.

“I don’t think I’ve really had time to properly react,” said Jones, ranked 241 in the world going into qualifying. “I just gave my coach a massive hug, called my parents and then I was in the media room for quite a while, although I made sure I got some lunch before I went in there because I knew I’d need energy to respond to the questions.

“I’ve got loads of WhatsApp messages to get through and I’m just trying to tick boxes at the moment because we now need to make sure that everything is in place to get out to Australia, like the visa and stuff like that.

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“One of the things I’ve had to do was finish my laundry list because I need to get my laundry done before we go – but it will probably all sink in when I’m on the flight.”

Yorkshire's Francesca Jones plays against China's Xin Yu Wang during their Girl's Singles first round match at Wimbledon in July 2017. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesYorkshire's Francesca Jones plays against China's Xin Yu Wang during their Girl's Singles first round match at Wimbledon in July 2017. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Yorkshire's Francesca Jones plays against China's Xin Yu Wang during their Girl's Singles first round match at Wimbledon in July 2017. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Born in Bradford, Jones has a rare congenital condition called Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, or EEC syndrome.

It can cause a person to be born with one or more of their fingers and toes missing. In Jones’s case, she has just four fingers on her right hand – the hand that holds her tennis racket – together with three toes on one foot and four on the other.

But, despite being told by a doctor that she would not be able to play professionally because of her condition, she was determined to persevere.

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Having progressed rapidly since taking up the game at Heaton Tennis Club at the age of five, by the time she was nine she was heading out to the famous Sanchez Casal Tennis Academy in Barcelona.

Francesca Jones in action in July 2018 at Wimbledon. Picture: John Walton/PAFrancesca Jones in action in July 2018 at Wimbledon. Picture: John Walton/PA
Francesca Jones in action in July 2018 at Wimbledon. Picture: John Walton/PA

Regular trips turned into a permanent residence where she combined her schooling with coaching sessions. She has also benefited from being one of 12 players on the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme, the highest level of support offered to elite players seen as having the potential to reach the top 100 in five years, including financial, medical and coaching facilities.

Still based in Barcelona, the coronavirus pandemic meant she spent more time back home in the UK last year, utilising the facilities at the National Tennis Centre, where her hard work has paid off.

“I think everyone who works hard deserves to be in the position that suits their form, I guess” added Jones. “So, hopefully this is just a reflection of what I’ve put in to date.

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“It is definitely a stepping stone but my feet are very much on the ground but I want to try and achieve a lot more and will keep working towards that.”

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