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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Wimbledon star quit tennis at 23 for gruelling work as a fencer before returning to sport and finding love with Brit ace
WHEN Alex Bolt quit tennis aged just 23, he would never have imagined making four appearances at Wimbledon. Within days of hanging up his racquet, the Aussie, now 32, joined his brother-in-law's fencing business and began hard graft in the sweltering Southern Australian heat. 7 Alex Bolt quit tennis aged just 23 to work as a fencer in March 2016 Credit: EPA 7 Bolt with British tennis ace girlfriend Katie Swan in London Credit: INSTAGRAM After a flurry of defeats against lower-ranked players, Bolt decided to call it quits after "hating his time on the court" in March 2016. Hours after an emotional farewell chat with his then-coach Simon Rea, Bolt joined the family business and set his alarm clock for 5:30am to make a 45-minute drive to his new fencing job. In 2020, he told "Those were long, hot days. It can get pretty hot out on a tennis court , but this was rough. I was drained to say the least. Those 5:30 wake-up calls? My excitement was gone after Day 2. That was not fun at all." READ MORE TENNIS NEWS Just to rub salt in the wounds, one of his first jobs was around basketball and tennis courts at a primary school. After grinding out his new job for a few months, Bolt was persuaded to buy a pair of boots and play in a local Aussie Rules team called the Mypolonga Tigers, which he says "helped him regain his happiness". He said: "It was probably a couple months after that when I started missing tennis . I didn't think I'd ever pick up a racquet. But I wasn't totally out of touch. I'd made some great mates with the Aussie boys, and was still in group chats with them." Bolt then thought 'that could've been me' when he saw his mate Jordan Thompson crack the Top 100 and win four ATP Challenger Tour events later in 2016. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS After hesitating for a while, Bolt got a random call from tennis coach Todd Langman, who was working with his best pal Thanasi Kokkinakis . Todd saw a picture Bolt posted on Facebook at the end of the Aussie Rules season and gave him a call - and Bolt didn't need much persuading. British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money 7 Bolt found happiness again while playing Aussie Rules with his pals during his break from tennis After nine months away from the court, Bolt's first day back was the 2016 AFL Grand Final. He was massively out of shape and was told to start from scratch. Todd even made Bolt play against young kids, telling him to not back down and "to give everything he had". He made his official return to action at a Challenger in Adelaide at the start of 2017, with his Aussie Rules pals coming out to cheer him on while he made the main draw and lost in the second round. Bolt, who is now dating British tennis ace a wild card into Australian Open qualies in 2017. He said: "It was all such a blur . Before I knew it, I was beating Julien Benneteau in the final round to reach the main draw of a Slam for the first time. " Despite losing to Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round, Bolt finished the year with a singles ranking of No. 192 - an improvement of almost 400 places from the end of 2016. 7 British star Swan is dating Bolt 7 The Aussie qualified for Wimbledon 2025 He also had a handy year on the doubles circuit, making five Challenger finals with three victories to finish the season ranked No. 86, a career high doubles ranking. Before his best singles result in a third round at the Australian Open in 2019, Bolt booked his first Wimbledon main draw debut in 2018 after beating best friend Kokkinakis. Fast forward seven years and Bolt, currently No.194 in the world, has beaten 19-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce in the final round of qualifying to reach the main draw of Wimbledon for the fourth time. He takes on 10th seed Ben Shelton today in the first round. Meanwhile, girlfriend Swan's dream of returning to Wimbledon was crushed in the first qualifying round in a tight defeat to Leyre Romero Gormaz 7-6(2), 7-6(6). 7 Bolt beat teenager Martin Landaluce at Roehampton to reach the Wimbledon main draw this week It was only as recently as 2023 that Swan was going toe-to-toe with Amazingly, Swan, 26, is not the only British tennis player called Katie in a relationship with an Aussie called Alex, As well as representing Elbow surgery in 2022 provided a slight setback, forcing Bolt out of competition for six months. In 2024, Bolt won back-to-back singles titles at the Swan Hill Tennis International, an ITF 25 grass-court event. 7 Bolt and Swan have been an item since 2022 Credit: INSTAGRAM
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Jack Pinnington Jones: From carpooling with Jack Draper to reaching Wimbledon
Once a top-10 junior and the best of his age in Britain, Pinnington Jones will make his first appearance in the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry. The 22-year-old only left Texas Christian University (TCU) a month ago having decided to skip his final year and turn professional but has already impressed on grass, reaching his first final on the second tier Challenger Tour in Ilkley earlier this month and rising to a career high of 281 in the rankings. 👏 JACK 👏 PINNINGTON 👏 JONES 👏#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 17, 2025 If TCU sounds familiar it is because it is also the alma mater of Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, with the latter rocketing up the rankings since leaving last year. 'Cam recruited me even before I was looking at colleges,' said Pinnington Jones. 'He's always been great to the younger guys in British tennis. 'I was on the team for two years with Jake so he's one of my best friends. To see him have the rise he's had was special. It didn't shock me to see him in the top 100, as quickly as it was was a bit surprising but I'm just happy for him. 'Those guys are big inspirations and I want to be up there with them and have a little TCU core, that would be awesome and it almost gives me a bit more confidence knowing that those guys are doing it so why can't I, if I put in the same work and focus and have good people around me.' The legacy of our 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗴𝘀 🌱 · Four national championships· Four NCAA semifinals· Eight Big 12 titles· 10 sets of All-American honors· 211 team wins — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) June 28, 2025 Dan Evans was among those to question Pinnington Jones' decision not to turn professional earlier, but the Surrey player has no doubt he made the right decision. 'I didn't feel I was mature enough to do it at that age,' he said. 'I was watching all my friends go there (to college) and improving. I chatted to my parents about it and we were like, 'If you're good enough to be a tennis player and you still want to be, you'll get there'. 'We all decided as a family that college feels like the right fit. Looking back, it's the best decision I could have made for myself.' He is one of seven British players in the men's singles to have gone to US college, with Johannus Monday, Oliver Tarvet and Oliver Crawford also making their debuts. One of the first people to congratulate him on his wild card, meanwhile, was British number one Draper. The pair have been friends since their teenage years, with Pinnington Jones saying: 'He used to pick me up on his way into training when he passed his driving test and I hadn't passed mine. 'He hates sitting in traffic so he'd always be at my house at like 6.30am. It was brutal. I wouldn't hit until 11 and I'd be at the NTC (National Tennis Centre) at 7am. Him doing what he's doing in tennis is amazing to see.' Pinnington Jones was put in charge of the music selection while Draper sought the fastest route. 'He's got better,' said Pinnington Jones with a smile when asked about Draper's driving skills. One. Set. Away. ⏳ Wild card Pinnington Jones takes a razor-tight 7-6(8) opener over Schoolkate in the Ilkley final!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA — ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 15, 2025 'I've seen him at his worst when he'd just passed his test. He was probably a bit too confident but he's a good driver. It was good times. He really liked Skepta so I'd always try to please him. I'm quite into my house music but at 6.30am it's tough to be pumping house music.' Another man who will be watching with interest from afar is Andy Murray, who used to mentor Pinnington Jones through his management agency. 'I played golf at his golf club (on Friday) and he said hello and good luck,' said Pinnington Jones. 'Andy's a great guy. Obviously he was a childhood idol growing up and he's always been very supportive. I'm sure I could ping him a message asking questions any time. I'm still a bit starstruck by him so I don't do it that much but he's amazing.'
