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The Unsung Hero of Wimbledon: Meet Adam Jones, the Player Who Mimics Tennis Stars

Posted : 11 July 2025

While the world’s top tennis stars battle for glory at Wimbledon, 27-year-old British player Adam Jones plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role—impersonating their opponents in practice sessions. Ranked 1,513th in singles and 619th in doubles, Jones may not be a household name, but he’s been the trusted hitting partner for semifinalists like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Amanda Anisimova, and Belinda Bencic this year. 

 

His job? Replicating the playing style of each star’s next rival. Before Alcaraz faced Jan-Lennard Struff, for example, Jones bombarded him with powerful serves from inside the baseline to simulate the German’s game. "It’s a great gig and a fun way to earn some money," Jones told the BBC at Wimbledon’s practice courts. 

 

Life on the Futures Tour: A Grueling Grind

 

For Jones, working at Wimbledon is a far cry from his usual reality on the ITF Futures Tour—the lowest tier of professional tennis. Traveling the world on a shoestring budget, he’s slept in a cramped tent on a golf course, shared sweaty 15-man dormitories, and even spent six hours in a train toilet to save money. 

 

"The finances are absolutely brutal," he admitted. "If you lose in qualifying, you get nothing. A few weeks ago, I won $37 and still couldn’t afford a $150-a-night hotel." Despite the glamorous perception of tennis, Jones says the reality for lower-ranked players is far from luxurious. 

 

From Hitting Partner to Touring with a Star

 

Jones first worked as a Wimbledon hitting partner in 2022 and returned in 2023. Last year, he was hired full-time by Croatia’s Donna Vekic, traveling with her team for six months and experiencing life in five-star hotels. Yet, he found himself missing the raw challenge of the Futures circuit. "I wanted to go back to the jungle and the hellholes," he said. "You’ve got to remember the grind." 

 

After Wimbledon, Jones will return to the U.S. for Futures tournaments in Illinois, aiming to climb the doubles rankings and eventually break into the ATP Challenger Tour. "Next year, I want to be back at Wimbledon—playing doubles," he said. "That’s the goal." 

 

US Open Mixed Doubles Format Change Sparks Backlash

 

Newly crowned Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Sem Verbeek and Katerina Siniakova expressed disappointment over the US Open’s decision to revamp its mixed doubles event, scheduling it before the main tournament to attract top singles players. 

 

The change means doubles specialists like Verbeek and Siniakova won’t get the chance to compete in New York. "It’s a shame," said Siniakova, the world No. 1 in women’s doubles. "They’re taking away opportunities from doubles players." Verbeek added, "As two athletes who’d love to play, it’s disappointing. My heart is bleeding." 

 

Meanwhile, Britain’s Joe Salisbury missed out on his first Wimbledon title, falling in the mixed doubles final with partner Luisa Stefani. Despite his success at other majors, Wimbledon remains the elusive trophy in his career. 

 

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