A tribute to Alan Jones
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Alan Jones, one of the most highly respected coaches in British tennis has passed away at the age of 75.
Jones had been coaching performance tennis for over half a century and worked with many high profile and successful British players during that time.
During his career he coached 33 British players who played at Wimbledon including Jo Durie, Lucie Ahl, Laura Robson, Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong and Jeremy Bates.
Jones was a promising player himself, who went on to represent Middlesex in county tennis for 21 years. However coaching was where his passion lay.
He became Jo Durie’s coach when she was 18, and took her all the way to world No.5, remaining with her for her entire career.
He also worked as an LTA National Coach in three separate stints and also authored a book on technique and tactics with Barry Wood.
He was often outspoken in his views on the state of the British game and had strong opinions on how to develop players who could compete at the highest level.
His views came from a love of the sport, and a desire to get the best out of players. Writing in 2021 he said: “I’m as soft as old rope away from a court, but get me around tennis and I’m tough.”
In 2017 Jones received a Special Award from the Lawn Tennis Writers Association (Now BTJA) to mark his 50 years of performance coaching and the contribution he made to the home game during that time.
Most recently he was an integral part of the Unique Tennis Academy where he continued to work alongside Jo Durie and his son Ryan. The academy is one of the LTA’s Regional Player Development Centres which opened its doors in September 2023.
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive said: “The news of Alan’s passing has filled the tennis community with deep sadness. He was one of the pre-eminent coaches of our sport for well over half a century, coaching numerous British No.1’s, always with a keen eye on the future generations. Anyone who met him was left in no doubt about his passion for the game and his desire to develop British players for success at the very top of the sport. He will be sorely missed."
