Ann Jones CBE is remembered worldwide as a Wimbledon champion and British tennis icon, but her story began with a very different racket. Before she stepped onto the grass courts of London, she grew up in a family where table tennis wasnâ€t just a sport—it was a way of life.
Her father, Adrian Haydon, her mother, Doris Jordan, and her aunt, Marjorie Haydon, all represented England at the international level. With such a remarkable family legacy, itâ€s no surprise that Ann picked up the game early, embracing table tennis as both a passion and a family tradition.
By the age of just 15, she had already made her mark at Wembley, reaching the womenâ€s doubles final at the World Championships. That debut signaled the start of a decorated career: world medals, European titles, and, later, an incredible transition into tennis, where she would climb to the very top, lifting the Wimbledon trophy.
What makes Annâ€s journey so inspiring is not just her talent, but the foundation her family provided. Their belief in her abilities, and their shared love for the sport, fueled a determination that carried her through two careers at the highest level.
As the ITTF prepares to celebrate 100 years of the World Championships, Ann Jonesâ€s story reminds us that champions are not made in isolation. They are often shaped by the families and communities who nurture their dreams, turning passion into legacy.
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