British No. 3 Fran Jones retired 6-2, 3-2 behind Linda Klimovicova, a Czech-born Polish qualifier, in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday after struggling with her movements during the match.
I let it all out, kicked and screamed for an hour, and now all I’m doing is talking [my team] about where do we go from here. Frank Jones
Jones was battling hard on Court 15 at Melbourne Park, chasing her first Grand Slam main draw win at the fifth attempt, when she slipped and fell.
She immediately felt a tear in her gluteal muscle and soon had no choice but to withdraw against the 21-year-old Klimovicova.
The 25-year-old Briton arrived in Melbourne unsure if she would be fit enough to play after suffering a groin problem in her right leg during the tournament in Auckland earlier this month, only to suffer a buttock injury in the same right leg following the early stumble in the match.
Jones became more emotional as the match progressed and sought medical attention early in the second set when her sobs could be heard as she lay on the court receiving treatment.
“Normally I stay in control around you, but today I might be having a hard time,” Jones said through her still-falling tears as she later addressed reporters. “I went for a stretch and the leg I had injured slipped on it and fell. I felt something pulling in my glute. I tried to see if it would settle, but of course I was aware at the time of multiple injuries to one leg. It was very difficult to think about the match at that time.”
“It’s clear that I’m at a peak in my career [ranking]. I’m probably in the main draws of the Masters, and then you think: should I continue? Should I fight because it’s a slam? There is money, there are points at stake.
“Similarly, given my history, it’s probably not the smartest thing to keep pushing.”
It was clear from the start of the match against Klimovicova that Jones was struggling to move, and she decided she could no longer continue after dropping her serve in the second set.
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It was a cruel blow for Jones, who arrived in Melbourne with a career-high ranking of 69 after recording her best win against Top 20 player Emma Navarro in Auckland, despite it being the first time she has been given direct entry into a Grand Slam without needing a wildcard.
Her frustration was understandable when the Yorkshirewoman hit the barrier at the side of the court with her racket.
Consistency is Jones’ next big goal, with the physical issues linked to her genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, which means she has 3 fingers and a thumb on each hand and 7 toes.
Jones has struggled with injuries throughout her career, but she insists these are not a direct result of her condition.
“I don’t see any of the retirements directly associated with what could be referred to as a ‘child with a syndrome,’” she said. “I don’t have anything to do with that. I think what I relate to is that I don’t think I had a team from a young age and the expertise that I needed.
“So my age, you might say, 25, but I’m still quite early in my physical journey. I think my tennis level there is so much higher than my physical journey, and I try to match that every year, every time.
“I have never been a natural athlete and I don’t expect to be, but I do believe there is still a long way to go.
“I have to think about a few things about what is best for me now, and if we need more expertise in the future, to see how I can then increase my physical capacity.
“Maybe it’s a matter of not thinking too much, recovering and being ready, but I don’t know if I can be clear about that now.”
Jones, who had the best season of her life last year, has now retired in 3 of her 5 main draw and qualifying matches at the Australian Open.
After giving herself an ultimatum last season that she would quit if she didn’t reach the Top 100, Jones broke into the Top 70 last week and is now determined to find a way to compete at the highest level week in, week out.
“It hurts me that it’s here because I absolutely love this punch,” she said. “It was my first main draw Slam that I have ever played. It is now my first direct participation.
“It hurts a lot, but if I was someone who didn’t know how to pick myself up quickly, I would be F’d. I don’t know what the better way to say that is; I wouldn’t be able to be where I am right now.”
“So I let it all out, kicked and screamed for an hour, and now all I’m doing is talking to [my team] about where do we go from here.
Fran Jones was heard sobbing as she was treated during her opening match against Linda Klimovicova on Day 2 of the Australian Open in Melbourne
© .Hamish Blaier/Tennis Australia/AFP via Getty Images
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