British tennis star breaks down in tears and helped off court after retiring injured in Australian Open qualifying

FRANCESCA JONES was left in tears after being forced to withdraw from the Australian Open.

The 23-year-old had to be helped off the court as she struggled with cramp in her left leg.

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Francesca Jones broke down in tears after retiring from the Australian Open[/caption]

Jones was facing Germany’s Ella Seidel in the second round of qualifying with the match into a deciding set.

The Brit was leading 3-6 7-6 4-0 when disaster struck as she felt pain in her leg.

Jones was unable to win another game as the issue worsened before deciding to retire at 4-4 the third set.

She had called for the physio but could only speak to the medics as players are not allowed to call a medical time out for cramp.

Jones broke down in tears as the realisation she could not continue hit and she had to be supported while heading to the locker room.

Victory against Seidel would have left her just one win away from a place in the main draw of the Grand Slam for just the the third time.

Back in 2021, she made the first round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Jones has battled injuries throughout recent years, being absent from six of the last eight majors.

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The current world No295, who has a career high of No149, was born with a rare genetic condition called ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia.

It meant she has just three fingers and a thumb on each hand and three toes on one foot and four on the other.

Bradford-born Jones defied doctors to achieve her dream of becoming a professional tennis player and moved to Barcelona at the age of nine to further her career.

Jones has just three fingers and a thumb on each hand but has not let the genetic condition hold her career backGetty