Bradford's own Francesca Jones qualifies for Australian Open
What started as a simple summer activity at a Bradford tennis club has grown into one of British tennis’s most inspiring success stories.
The world number 72, who had secured the biggest win of her career by beating world number 15 Emma Navarro in the first round, admitted the physical and mental toll of that match made the comeback especially challenging.
Struggling in the heat but saving nine of 13 break points, Jones regrouped to win 12 of the final 14 games in just over two hours.
The British number three, who broke into the top 100 last year despite being born with the rare genetic condition EEC, will now face Chinese seventh seed Wang Xinyu for a place in the semi-finals.
Francesca Jones, now a Grand Slam qualifier and established presence on the WTA Tour, first picked up a racket at Heaton Tennis Club when she was just five years old.
More than two decades later, she is competing against some of the best players in the world and inspiring a new generation along the way.
Her early journey was guided by Matt McTurk, head coach at Heaton Tennis Club and founder of Strive Tennis, who remembers immediately noticing something special about the young Francesca.
Jones was first brought to Heaton Tennis Club by her parents to take part in a holiday tennis camp - simply a way to keep her active during the summer. But it quickly became clear that this was more than just a pastime.
“It’s quite unusual to see a child that young who is so clear about what they want,” McTurk says
“She always said she wanted to be the best player in the world.”
As her enthusiasm and ability grew, so did her commitment.
McTurk worked closely with her during what he describes as “formative years”, helping her develop core skills, competitiveness, and confidence on court.
Even today, club members who remember Jones as a child still follow her progress closely, often messaging McTurk when she records another milestone win.
Having previously trained at the renowned Sánchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona, where players such as Andy Murray have also worked, McTurk suggested that Jones and her family explore the Spanish system.
“I was mirroring the same drills she was doing in Spain when she came home,” he explains.
“That made the transition much smoother.”
By the age of 11, Jones had moved to Spain full-time, attending school and training at the academy while maintaining close links with her roots in Bradford.
Jones was born with a rare congenital condition, Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal Dysplasia (EEC syndrome).
Despite being told by one doctor that she would never become a professional tennis player, she has gone on to defy expectations at the very highest level.
“It wasn’t something we ever really discussed,” McTurk says.
“We just trained as normal. It didn’t define her.”
While McTurk is quick to credit Jones’ determination and her parents’ unwavering support, he admits it’s incredibly rewarding to see her succeed.
Now an established professional and climbing the rankings, Francesca Jones’ story is still unfolding. But for those who watched her first steps on court in Bradford, her success already stands as a powerful reminder of what belief, resilience, and hard work can achieve.
“The sky’s the limit with Francesca,” McTurk says. “You just don’t know how far she can go.”