British Tennis Player Francesca Jones Opens Up About Bogota Collapse

British tennis player Francesca Jones explains how altitude sickness led to her collapse during a match in Bogota, Colombia.

Francesca Jones Reveals Altitude Sickness Led to On-Court Collapse

British tennis player Francesca Jones has spoken out about the alarming incident that occurred during her match at the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota. Jones, 24, attributed her collapse mid-serve to altitude sickness, which she believes was triggered by playing at the high-altitude venue without adequate acclimatization.

The incident occurred during Jones' match against Argentina's Julia Riera, with the Briton trailing 6-2 5-7 5-3. As Jones began to serve, she suddenly stumbled and collapsed on the court, prompting tournament officials to rush to her side. The worrying scene unfolded as Jones was taken off the court in a wheelchair, leaving spectators and officials concerned for her well-being.

Francesca Jones Opens Up About Altitude Sickness Incident in Bogota

Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, poses a unique challenge to athletes due to its high altitude of over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level. This elevation can cause altitude sickness, which Francesca Jones believes contributed to her collapse during a match at the Colsanitas Cup. Jones explained the circumstances leading up to the incident, stating, “After winning the event in Brazil on Sunday, our total trip took over 24 hours, with minimal rest and recovery from a long week.”

🤕 British tennis star collapses on court and is wheeled off in a wheelchair.

Sending well wishes for a speedy recovery!

Francesca Jones, a 24-year-old British tennis player, experienced a distressing collapse during her match at the Colsanitas Cup in Bogota, Colombia.

She… pic.twitter.com/pLTNsY4FoU

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Jones acknowledged that Bogota's altitude can take several days to adapt to, which made it difficult for her to adjust in time for her match. She also revealed that inclement weather prevented her from practicing beforehand, which further complicated her situation. As Jones described, “Bogota is renowned for its altitude and often takes a few days to adapt.” Despite her efforts to stay competitive, Jones found herself struggling as the match progressed.

Jones provided a detailed account of her physical struggles during the match, saying, “As the match went on, I worked hard to give myself the opportunity to stay competitive while trying to get used to the conditions but progressively struggled; blurry vision eventually leading to collapsing, with no cramp having occurred.” Fortunately, medical tests revealed that there would be no long-term impact on her health, with Jones explaining that the tests concluded her “heart worked a little too hard.”