Britain’s Francesca Jones described her recent fitness struggles as a “humongous challenge” after retiring from Australian Open qualifying.

Jones led 4-0 in the deciding set on Thursday against German Ella Seidel before she cramped up in her left leg.

The problem flared up when she was serving at 4-2 and, after trying to continue, she had to stop before being helped off the court in distress.

“I will have to take a couple of days off and then regroup,” Jones said.

“It is pretty challenging at this point because every retirement takes its toll.”

It was the latest setback for 295th-ranked Jones, who has seen the past two seasons decimated by injuries.

Jones has already defied the odds to play professionally, having been born with a genetic condition which means she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on her right foot and four toes on her left.

“I spent the whole of 2022 injured, played three months at the start of last year, found rhythm and then got injured at Roland Garros,” Jones added.

“I’m doing my best to focus on my objective this year, which is to use it as a constructive year to build tournaments which I haven’t managed to do over the last couple of seasons.”

Oliver Crawford was the only British winner in qualifying as Harriet Dart, Ryan Peniston and Billy Harris lost.

Meanwhile at Melbourne Park, former British number one Emma Raducanu eased any injury fears in a two-hour practice session where she showed no signs of physical problems.

Raducanu, who is set to play in her first Grand Slam in a year after wrist and ankle surgeries, withdrew from two exhibition matches in Melbourne this week.

The 21-year-old made her competitive comeback in Auckland last week after almost nine months out and felt soreness this week after playing two matches there.

British men’s number one Cameron Norrie pulled out of an ATP tournament in Auckland with a wrist injury.

It is understood Norrie’s withdrawal was a precautionary measure before the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday.