Venus Williams taken aback by comment from Miami – Sports News
Venus Williams was caught off guard as Fran Jones admitted she had posters of the U.S. tennis icon in her room growing up.
The 45-year-old has received the Miami Open on three events as a singles competitor, however after receiving a wild card, her journey ended on the first hurdle on Thursday. As destiny would have it, her exit got here by the hands of an adoring fan.
Jones has the uncommon genetic situation ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft syndrome (EEC), and was born with a thumb and three fingers on every hand, together with seven toes. However, the 25-year-old has earned a fierce popularity for her competitiveness throughout her short senior profession — and it was on show again in Miami.
After clinching victory over Williams in an hour and 50 minutes, Jones bowed to the American earlier than embracing. Williams wished her conqueror good luck for the remainder of the event, to which Jones replied: “I still have you [poster] in my room.”
Williams was moved by the comment, and responded: “Aww that’s so cute. Thanks, good luck.”
After the end result, Jones outlined what she stated to Williams and what the 45-year-old means to her. She stated: “I just told her, ‘I say goodnight to you and Serena every night because you’re still on the wall of my childhood bedroom’. She just laughed. We know each other well enough for me to make a couple of jokes.
“But no, there’s a lot of truth to that. I genuinely still have her on my wall, and I’m so grateful to have that chance.
“I was told I wouldn’t be able to play tennis when I was younger. At five years old, my dad took me to Wimbledon to see the Williams sisters play, and if it wasn’t for that experience, I really don’t know whether I would have pursued tennis in the way I have. They’re the reason I’m here today. To have that win against [her] means everything.”
Jones noticed the jacket donned by Williams, too. She added: “All I could focus on was how good Venus looked when she walked on court with her silver jacket! I just tried to focus on myself, I’ve had a tough year so far, lots of injuries and illnesses — I was worried I was going to make a legend sick, so glad to get through it.”
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