Rare genetic disordered teen with 8 fingers in hands is the new Wimbledon wildcard earner

Rare genetic disordered teen with 8 fingers in hands is the new Wimbledon wildcard earner

Guwahati: She is Fran Jones, an 18-year-old teen who, despite her physical hurdles, have proved that nothing is impossible when one deliberates to achieve it. Jones is a tennis player but she is different as, unlike others, she is not gifted with the natural limbs. Rather she has just three fingers and one thumb on each hand that accounts for 8 fingers in total.

Jones was born with rare genetic disorder ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate - commonly known as EED or EEC. For her genetic disorder, she has fewer fingers in her hands and legs. She was born with webbed fingers and could reach today’s state only after going through countless operations. Today, she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand. She has four toes on her left foot, and just three toes on her right foot.

Despite having fewer fingers in her hands, Jones is desperate enough to perform her best in the court and it is her indomitable spirit that has earned her a wildcard in this year's Wimbledon tournament. Every tennis player has a dream to play in the Wimbledon tournament and Jones, on finding her dream come true, has not every reason to cheer and rejoice.

What is more, playing and fighting against all the odds Jones has secured a ranking in the top 300 in the world. The achievements of Jones highlight her fighter spirit who is never willing to give up.

Jones had moved to Barcelona by herself at an age of just nine years so that she could take training in the same academy as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. Jones, a true follower of the footsteps of her predecessors, says, "I always say the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. That's my motto, I definitely live by it."

Aiming to be the best player in the world, for Jones, the mantra to success is "constant hard work and really pushing your limits".

She added, "I know that I've struggled so far throughout my years in tennis, and I'm not expecting to just see rainbows and unicorns when I hopefully make it to the top."

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