Of all the players bidding to make the Wimbledon main draw this year, Fran Jones is almost certainly the most inspirational.

She has earned a wild card for the qualifying tournament despite having just six fingers and seven toes.

A rare genetic disorder, Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia - more commonly known as EEC, affects the way she grips her racket and balance, but not her determination to reach the top.

Jones was born with the condition.

Image: Fran Jones is a rising tennis star

"I've got thee toes on my right foot, four on my left. I was born with a cleft palate and have four fingers on each hand," she said.


"I have less teeth than most people. It comes with quite a few different symptoms including the fact I was born with webbed fingers so I've had quite a few operations over the years."

Now 18, Jones was taken by her father to a tennis camp during the summer holidays when she was in primary school and it quickly became apparent that she had a natural aptitude for the sport.

She moved to Barcelona aged just nine, training at the same Sanchez-Casal academy attended by Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. Her progress continues to confound medical professionals who said becoming a top tennis player would be impossible with her condition.

Image: She is one of the youngest players in the top 25 in the British rankings

She said: "I always say the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do, that's my motto and I definitely live by it. I think that will be something that I strive for throughout the rest of my life and certainly throughout the rest of my career.

"I don't think anyone should be limited by other people's opinions."

Jones's coach Albert Portas says a steely mind has helped Jones break into the top 300 in the world rankings. She recently won two tournaments back-to-back in Belarus and a wild card for the Wimbledon qualifying tournament, which begins on Monday, is the reward.

"She's not like the rest of the players," said Portas.

"Of course, she has to work specifically on some things, especially with the fingers and taking care also her body is a bit different. But as you can see now she is top 300 and I think she has no limits. With her the limit will be on her mind but of course she is more impressive than the other players."

Image: EEC affects the way Jones grips her racket and balance

Jones admitted to struggling with loneliness while away on tour, often with just books and music for company, but her aim is to be the best tennis player in the world.

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

"But for now it's just constant hard work and really pushing your limits."

As one of the youngest players in the top 25 in the British rankings, Jones is on the LTA's pro scholarship programme. It is designed to offer tailored support to enable players with the highest potential to reach the top 100 within five years.

But Jones also recognises her role as a guiding light for others with EEC.

"I've been contacted by a family in in Argentina and their daughter was born with the same thing and they asked how I've managed to overcome it," she said.

"There's no words I could really use to describe how amazing it is to receive such messages."