BEYONCE FAN FRAN TO INSPIRE SINGLES LADIES

FRAN JONES declared she wants to be an inspiration like her hero Beyonce before her first ever Grand Slam appearance at the Australian Open.

Born with a rare genetic condition, the British No.5 (above) has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on her right foot and four on her left.

Bradford-born Jones underwent several surgeries and was told she could never become a tennis player.

But last month the 20-year-old, who uses a specially modified Wilson racquet, came through three rounds of qualifying in Dubai to reach Melbourne.

And yesterday this destiny’s child showed she can perform on the big stage like the American singing superstar by using the spotlight to insist anyone can smash through barriers in life.

“I am a pretty big fan of Beyonce (inset),” said the uber-confident world No.245. “She is an incredible role model.

“I love how she uses her platform to make a difference. That is something that I would like to do. I hope I am doing that in a very small way now and hopefully I can build on that in the future.

“It’s great to be here and to be able to get my message across – which is please don’t have any limits and keep pushing yourself. Do what you want to do and just commit to it.

“If I can have any positive impact on children, adults, and they can take strength from my story and create their own, then that would be great. So it’s nice to have the platform and hopefully I can continue to spread the word over the years.”

Jones, who will face American world No.60 Shelby Rogers in the first round, has already been out enjoying the shops and restaurants on her first visit to Melbourne.

But she prefers court time to screen time and shuns social media.

“I don’t like the influence social media has on children,” she said. “I don’t feel I’m at a time in my life where I need to share my day-to-day life.”