Ann Jones secured the 1969 Wimbledon ladies' singles title, becoming the first left-handed female player to achieve that milestone. Born in Birmingham in 1938 as Adrianne Haydon, she established herself as a dual-sport athlete, competing at an elite level in both lawn tennis and table tennis throughout a career spanning several decades.
Table Tennis Foundations
Before transitioning to lawn tennis, Jones competed in five world table tennis championships during the 1950s. Raised by parents who were active within the sport, she initially displayed ambidextrous traits before settling on a left-handed playing style. Her best international results occurred in 1957 in Stockholm, where she reached the finals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She later authored the instructional book Tackle Table Tennis This Way.
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Her aptitude for racket sports extended to the tennis court, where she claimed the 1954 and 1955 British junior championships followed by the 1956 Wimbledon girls' singles title. Competing against peers such as Billie Jean King and Margaret Court, Jones secured her first major professional success by winning the 1961 French Championships. Despite a significant back and neck injury in 1964 and 1965, she returned to win the French title again in 1966.
International Success and Retirement
Throughout her career, Jones accumulated eight Grand Slam titles, comprising three in singles, three in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. After her 1969 Wimbledon victory, she continued competing until her retirement in 1971, which followed a win at a Virginia Slims circuit event in Las Vegas. Beyond her active play, she served as a British team captain and held the position of chairwoman for the Women's International Tennis Council.
Broadcast and Administrative Contributions
Following her retirement, Jones transitioned into sports media, working for the British Broadcasting Corporation for over three decades as a guest commentator. Her contributions to the sport were recognized with several honors, including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1969 and being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1969, later becoming a Commander in 2013. In 2023, she served as a vice president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Fast facts
- Born: 1938, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Grand Slam titles: 8
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 1969
- Member of the Order of the British Empire: 1969
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire: 2013
- International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee
Questions readers ask
How many Grand Slam titles did Ann Jones win?
She won eight Grand Slam championships in total, including three singles, three women's doubles, and two mixed doubles titles.
What role did Jones play at the BBC?
She worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation for more than thirty years, primarily as a guest commentator for tennis coverage.
