“I always enjoy seeing a new young talent emerge on the sporting scene. Francesca Jones, 20, is the latest British Tennis player to make the headlines. You may not have heard of her, but I thoroughly recommend that you follow her story and take an interest in her blossoming career.
“Last week, she qualified to take part in the Australian Open which is a huge achievement in what is one of the hardest sports to make it to the top. However, for Francesca, her achievement is a wonderful illustration of what can be achieved with the right attitude.
“Francesca has a genetic condition which means that she was born with three fingers and a thumb on each hand, and three toes on her right foot and four on her left. Clearly there are implications here for playing Tennis.
“Well, Francesca, motivated by a coach doubting her, has worked out a way to play that works for her, playing with a lighter racket with a small grip. She has focussed particularly hard in the gym on her balance. She actually considers her condition to be an advantage to her. “The way I see it is that I am just playing the game with a different set of cards, but it doesn’t mean those cards can’t still win the game.”
“It is wonderful to see a young person who has found a way, rather than found a way out of doing something and her mindset is something we can all learn from. She is a remarkable young woman who certainly made me stop and think last week.”