Picture this: a 15-year-old girl steps onto the court at Wembley in 1954, paddle in hand, representing England at the World Table Tennis Championships. Fast-forward 15 years, and that same girl is lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court at Wimbledon, having conquered tennis’s most prestigious tournament.
This isn’t sporting fiction – it’s the remarkable true story of Ann Jones CBE, a woman who didn’t just excel in one racquet sport, but dominated two.
When someone has claimed Wimbledon singles glory and been crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, they’ve earned their place amongst British sporting royalty. But when they’ve also collected 10 World Championships medals in an entirely different sport as a teenager? Well, that elevates them to legendary status.
Table tennis wasn’t just Ann’s passion – it was the family business. Born into what can only be described as a table tennis dynasty, she grew up surrounded by the sport’s elite. Her father Adrian Haydon wasn’t just any England international; he was a World Championships phenomenon, accumulating an incredible 14 medals between 1928’s Stockholm championships and 1953’s edition in Bucharest.
Her mother Doris Jordan and aunt Marjorie Haydon were also England internationals, meaning young Ann was practically raised with a paddle in her hand. “My parents brought me up to be a table tennis champion,” she reflects, and the results speak for themselves.
In 1954, just one year after her father claimed his final World Championships medal, 15-year-old Ann made her debut on the sport’s biggest stage. The venue? Wembley. The same city that will welcome the world’s best teams back in 2026 for our centenary celebrations.
That debut was nothing short of spectacular. Partnering with Kathy Best in the Women’s Doubles, the left-handed teenager reached the final in an all-English affair. Though they claimed silver – losing to twins Diane and Rosalind Rowe on their 21st birthdays in a moment of perfect sporting theatre – Ann had announced herself on the world stage.
The four English players combined forces to secure team bronze, and Ann’s medal collection had officially begun.
What followed was a medal rush that would make any athlete envious. 1955 brought more success, as did 1956. Then came 1957’s Stockholm championships – a tournament that would test even the strongest competitor’s resolve. Ann reached all three finals that year, only to face heartbreak in each one. Yet even in defeat, she had proven herself among the world’s absolute best.
1959 brought further medals, complemented by European team gold in 1958 and a treasure trove of international honours. By the time Ann decided to transition to tennis, she had accumulated 10 World Championships medals – a haul that places her among England’s most decorated table tennis players of all time.
The switch to tennis might have surprised some, but Ann’s racquet sports mastery transcended boundaries. Her tennis career would eclipse even her table tennis achievements – two French Open singles titles and that unforgettable Wimbledon triumph in 1969.
But perhaps most significantly, alongside icons like Billie Jean King, Ann became a pioneer for professionalism and female equality in sport. Her influence extended far beyond the court, shaping the landscape for future generations of female athletes.
As we build towards London 2026 – marking 100 years since both the first World Championships and the ITTF’s founding – Ann’s story provides the perfect bridge between past and present. She was there when London last hosted the World Championships in 1954, claiming her first medals on English soil.
Now, as we prepare to welcome the world back to London for this centenary celebration, Ann’s journey from teenage table tennis prodigy to global sporting icon reminds us why these championships matter. They’re not just about medals and trophies – they’re about dreams realised and legends born.
In our exclusive interview, Ann shares insights from both careers, reflects on the evolution of racquet sports, and discusses what it means to see London hosting the World Championships once again as we celebrate 100 years of world-class table tennis competition.
Source: Table Tennis England
