← Control the Controllables
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Foreign.
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Welcome to episode 278 of Control the Controllables. And today we've got someone who has become an Internet sensation, or more to an Instagram sensation over the last few months as he started talking about coffee and flat whites. Now, this is a relatively young British guy called Adam Jones. Now, Adam Jones, he'd actually won his first professional doubles title only a couple of weeks ago. And that was in between being the hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz, Alina Rebakina, Amanda Nissimova out in Australia, and then also then did the same in Palm Springs, Indian Wells. He's someone who is really trying his hand at many different things and will be coming in your algorithm for anyone that's on social media. He's fantastic tennis player. He's obviously a great hit and partner because he's got the respect of the top players in the world and he's. And he's an all round great guy. And if you like hearing about coffee and coffee shops and flat whites, then he's also a good guy to listen to as well. I've been trying to get this one on for a while. He's been traveling the world. Not always easy to tie people down, but I'm sure it's going to be worth the wait. I'm going to pass you over to Jonesy. So, Adam Jones, a big welcome to Control the Controllables. How you doing?
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I'm doing good. I'm doing good. Better. Better for seeing your face on the camera, of course.
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B
I mean, look at this. This is, I mean, for, for those listening, I've had Sir Andy Murray on this podcast, we've had IGA Chontek, we had the late, great Nick Bollet, Terri. We've had so many people and I've spoken to so many people over the years and you know, you are by far the hardest person to get on Jonesy. You know, like you, you are the biggest diva of the lot. So I don't know what you got to say about that. Just. It's been, it's been a busy 20, 26, huh?
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A
It has. It's been a busy year. Sorry for the. Yeah, it's been tough. Tough to schedule. I nearly, yeah, nearly pushed this one back. I need a haircut. So it was. But I cancelled the haircut and I'm ready, I'm pumped, I'm pumped.
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B
And we're going to jump into all sorts of stuff and I will be calling you Jonesy because that's what we know you, that's your brand now, you Know, know. And that's, that's very much, I guess, the starting point. I want, I want to jump into your story. I want to understand a little bit more boy from Birkenhead, how does he get involved in tennis? You know, I know we got the Skopskis, but we're going to get there. But I'm going to start with 20, 26. And it feels like the brand Jonesy, the, the flat whites and forehands, you know, as has taken off and the tennis world has taken you along for that ride as well. You've been the hitting partner for many players. But in Australia, Rebakaner, she won the Carlos Alcaraz. You know, I've seen you out there with Anissa Morva, so we've seen pictures of you there with, with Djokovic walking on the court. We've seen. It feels like you've just been absolutely in the middle, in the core, the center of everything tennis has had to offer in 2026. And tell us about that experience.
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Yeah, I mean, wow. Yeah, great, Great start to the year for sure. Yeah, I mean, I get goosebumps just, just thinking about it. It was, yeah, Australia was amazing. I'd only ever been once when I was a kid to Sydney and then, yeah, I'd never been to Melbourne. I've watched it, you know, watched the Oz Open since I was, you know, a kid with my mum and yeah, always loved the tournament, always wanted to try and go and yeah, I got the opportunity to go as a, as a hitting partner. I got asked to go by the tournament, obviously said yes in a heartbeat. Yeah, got out there.
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B
But it feels like hitting partners, they're always there. But often, you know, we, we don't notice the hidden partners so much. They're there, they maybe do their job, but it feels like, you know, and I mean this in the, in, in a really nice possible way, you know, that I, I think very highly of you. You've become a little bit of a celebrity hitting partner in some ways, obviously with your, with your Instagram and, and, you know, your, your kind of fantastic person personality coming out. But also it's, I think, rare that so many top players have taken to one person, you know, to be hitting with the, the winner of the women's event and the men's event. Is that because of your hitting? Are you that good of a hitter? Is that because of your personality? Is that because they love flat whites as well? What, what's been the attraction, do you think, to, to give those opportunities with those top players?
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A
Firstly, I think I hit, you know, a good ball. I think I had a good ball. And yeah, I think it's a, it's a tough question, but I think, you know, number one is I hit a good ball and, you know, I think I'm good at kind of, you know, whatever they want to do. If they want a certain ball, then, then I can do that. You know, I can change my game as to who they're playing, let's say, like, I've had that, you know, quite a lot they've asked. I mean, I can so many, so many different hits and sessions where, you know, they've played different players and different, you know, spins, different pace, the height of the ball, etc. Etc. So I think I'm, you know, I'd say I'm pretty, pretty good at that. And then, you know, just, just being myself and I think just kind of treating them as, you know, I mean, yeah, they are my idols for sure, but also treating them as, as friends and just being, you know, myself and getting to know them all and not just them and, you know, knowing the team as well. Like, I try and, you know, I think you've known me long enough to. I try and speak to everybody, no matter who it is. Like, I try and get to know everybody on the team and, you know, I think I'd say they're all my friends now, which is really cool to say. And, yeah, it's been amazing. Definitely.
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B
Yeah, I've seen it firsthand. I saw it firsthand with Alcaraz in Aussie Open. You know, he could have walked away, sat with his team. He made a bit of a beeline. Came over there when we were, were at the coffee bar, you know, to, to come over and have a chat with you. And it's, it's, it's amazing to see. I, I do want to ask you about how direct, I guess it's the coaches that are talking to you about what they want. Are they a hidden partner? Place can be quite a lonely place. It can be quite a tough place if you, if there's crowd watching, you're feeling the pressure, you know, and then all of a sudden the coach comes up and says, no, no, no, I need you to hit with more spin or less spin. Or are they, are they setting that up before the session? Are they saying, right, Jonesy, obviously. Are they getting. As they get to know you? I guess it's easier, but this is what I want from you today. You know, we're going to play. I know, obviously a lot of the women want a hard flat ball. They don't want that heavy spin, you know, they, they maybe want that serve kind of darting in with a little bit of slice. You know, they don't want the heavy kick serve so much because a lot of the players. Are you being directed on that really clearly from the coaches?
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I think I was at the, at the beginning as in like when I. Definitely more so from the coaches when I first started, you know, with all these, all these top players, like they wouldn't really communicate too much with me about that. Like it, let's say I wasn't, you know, giving them what they wanted. Then they would tell the coach who would then tell me, but he would obviously speak to me beforehand. But I think now as I've got to know them more like, you know, they say it, the player says it more to me, which is, which is good because I think it, you know, it shows as a relationship building. And yeah, I mean they, I think what, you know, the first time I ever hit with like a top player was it was actually djokovic, which in 2021, I think it was. And yeah, it was the most nerve, nervous, nervous, nerve wracking experience of my life.
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B
It was more nerve wracking than control, the controllables.
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A
Well, I couldn't even say nervous and could I? But yeah, but yeah, I mean I was shaking. I was, you know, he been my idol for forever. So yeah, that was my first experience and at Wimbledon in front of, you know, a hell of a lot of people and I didn't deal with it. Great. You know, first ball, Goran fed it in and I've hit it and it's hit the back fence like completely, completely sailed back fence. I couldn't feel my arm. And yeah, like I used, I used to get very nervous hitting with these guys and every session it got better and better. And like the crowds now I, I learned, I think I've learned to enjoy it instead of, you know, getting nervous and just turn it into excitement. So it's, I've grown a lot from these experiences as well as a person and as a tennis player for sure.
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B
And in terms of hitting with multiple players. So I know that you hit with Anissimova a little bit. Emirat o' Connor a little bit. You know, there's. How does that work? How does that, I guess priority work is it, you know, players, I guess players like to. One of the things I always think, not just the top, top end, but in our sport people like to pay to not compromise. So they want to bring a physio in so they're not compromising, waiting later in the day to see the ATP and WTA physios. They want to. They want to have their own of everything. How, how does that work? Is there ever any kind of nitty gritty head to head over that stuff?
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A
Yeah, I mean, it depends how, how it's set up. Like, you know, for example, like in Australia, I was paid by the Australian Open and then Wimbledon, you know, you're paid by Wimbledon, like Queens. And you know, if you work, if you're working for the tournament, let's say, then, you know, obviously, you know, players help. Help you and they definitely, you know, they can tip you and stuff like that. And. Yeah, so it depends on, on the tournament and the setup. But like, let's say Wimbledon, for example. Like, there was a day, it was unbelievable. I hit with. I hit with Carlos, I hit with Djokovic, I hit with Sinner, hit with Amanda, I hit with Emma and Casper Rude and Sinner. I don't know if I said sinner, but like, it was insane. And Elena. So it was just. It was insane. And that day, kind of just like all, you know, all worked out pretty perfectly timing wise.
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But you know, about the graveyard shift.
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I was. My last. It's crazy. My last session, I was with. I was with Sinna. We played it. We played. I think we played a set. Played a set with Sinner on my last. My last session, like, it was insane. And I was done, like, completely toast.
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Score. Score.
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I got. I think it was 6:1. I got absolutely smoked. Yeah, it was tough, but I think. I know I did win a game. I held serve, so I was pretty pumped with that. But yeah, I mean, it was. It was tough after six, seven hours of playing. And then, you know, Sinner and Cahill want to play a set. It's. It's pretty brutal.
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B
And you touched on the money bit there. And I want to come around to this a little bit because I think, not that I want to obsess over money, but a lad from Birkenhead, I don't know your financial background and it's not really any of my business per se, unless you want to go into it. But tennis is an expensive sport playing, you know, you did, and we can't miss out. You know, congrats. You've won your first professional title this year as well with Toby Martin, you know, over in. In Naples, Florida, which is. Which is fantastic. But even winning that title, you're not exactly filling your pockets. You Know, in terms of, in terms of what you're doing, you might be better off putting it all on black in Vegas, where you are right now playing a Futures. But what are you, are you coming away with a bit of money in your pocket that you can go and put into your tennis and without a kind of naming and shaming or the. You mentioned players tipping like these. You've played an important role with Rebecca and Alcaraz to go and win. They've got a won 5 million or whatever it is in Australia. Is the tip worth having in terms of, like, going back into your development, tennis development or, you know, how. How are these players with that?
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A
Yeah, I mean, it's, yeah, it's a, It's a good question. Tough question, but, yeah, I mean, Elena Rybakina, for example, has, you know, helped me a lot. And, you know, she, she's been amazing. You know, I'd say she's probably the, the one out of all of them that has, you know, helped me the most in that aspect, let's say. Yeah, I mean, I won't go into, like, amounts and stuff, but. But, yeah, she's, she's, she's helped me a lot. And, you know, for an example, like in Australia, I made a, I made a comment to her before, I think it was the quarterfinals, and I said, hey, you know, if, if you win this. Actually, no, I said, when you win this, actually, I said, when you win this, I'd love to take a photo with you on the court with the trophy. She was like, okay. Like, sure. And I was like, you know, didn't think, you know, much of that. Like, I was like, okay, like, you know, she has a lot going on. Like, let's see what. Okay. But then she won the title and, you know, she remembered and, and I went down on the court and she took the time in that moment to say, Adam, like, come on, let's get this photo. And yeah, it was something I'll, I'll never forget. And that, that memory was just. It was amazing. And she, you know, in a moment of her success, took the time to, to do that for me is. I think it speaks volumes about her as a person. And, you know, she, yeah, she gave me a signed racket as well, from, from the tournament, which was special. Like, I, you know, I've watched that tournament, especially the final with my mum. You know, we'd wake up in the morning early doors, and we'd watch the final and. Yeah, I'm getting goosebumps now. Like, that memory of watching it with my mom seeing it on the tv and then I'm on Rod Laver with her with the trophy, with her team, celebrating. It was special, like she didn't have to do that. And I'm very thankful for that, for sure.
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B
I'm pleased that we're already seeing emotional Jonesy a little bit, because that's one thing. The only thing I knew about you was that quite a few years ago you used to come to Marbella a little bit. Did you have a house or your family had a house near Marbella?
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A
We went. No, we. I wish we went. We went on holiday a lot down there. It was amazing.
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B
So all of the players from sort of tennis academy used to say to me, oh, we're going to stay with Adam Jones this weekend. Oh, yeah, I'm bloody sure you are. And they'd come back with these wristbands and I was like, flipper, I tell you what, this. And, and I'll be completely honest with you, I. When I first started picking up stuff, I almost. I thought you were a bit of a clown.
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Okay.
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You know, a little bit. You know, it was a bit clowny. And I, And I remember, like, Liam Brody then was hanging out with you a lot. And I remember thinking, because I've spent a lot of time abroad, so I wonder why. Bro, there's why broads are spending a lot of time. Like, you make these. Not that it was a strong judgment, but there's. But then as I've got to know you over the last year or two, there's a great personality in there, but there's also a very sensitive, emotional soul in there, you know, and like, you know, and like. And you've talked there already about the goosebumps, the moments you, you linking things back, you know, living the dream. You know, I know you have tattooed on your arm. It's something that is clearly very immortal. Something clearly is very strong. So take me back to that time. You've referenced your mom. I know that your, your grandfather was a special person in your life as well, who you've sadly lost over, over the last year or two. You know, you, you, you reference him as well on your social media and I think you tell your story and I think a part of what I connect to, but I think a lot of people connect to with you is that authentic way and it's. Yes, you can have your clowny moments and fun moments and that's great. And I think you do it in a very good way. But you've also got this, this, this sensitive Emotional side. So where, I always ask the guests, where did that start, that passion, that. That emotion, that thing with tennis take me back to Birkenhead all of those years?
- [16:01]
A
Oh, well, I think. I mean, firstly, I think I'm very, very, very close to my, to my family. And, you know, like you said, I was, I was very close with my. Yeah, with my granddad and yeah, I grew up in Birkenhead and yeah, I started playing when I was, when I was three at Princeton Tennis Club on the Wirral. And, you know, I was pretty bad at every other sport, but I just, for some reason, love tennis. I love the game and I love everything about it. And yeah, I was pretty good as a, as a kid. And then, yeah, I started printing and then, you know, playing all the little events, you know, on the Wirral and in Cheshire and, you know, stuff like that. And as I was getting older, just, you know, continued with that. Then I went to Wrexham Tennis center when I was. I think I was 12, I went there. So I started at Printing and then Bidston and then I went to Wrexham and then, yeah, a lot of issues at Wrexham that I'm sure, sure you know about.
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B
And then you were, you were there during that period?
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I was, I was, I was. It was, yeah, it was a very. Yeah, it was interesting. Yeah, a lot, lot going on.
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B
Yeah.
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A
And then, yeah, I left there when I was 17 and then I moved to Bath and then I was. Yeah, I was there from probably 17 to 22 and then, yeah, doing my own thing. And, you know, I got my first ATP point when I was. I think I was 18 or nearly just turned 19 maybe first singles point. And then I've been doing, you know, doing my own thing since I was probably 22, 23. Like you said, like the finances. It's, it's. It's absolutely brutal. You know, it really is brutal. But my, yeah, my dad worked two jobs when he was, When I was a kid to, to, you know, get me out on the court and my mom as well, like, everything we had went to tennis and, you know, over weekend I was playing at Sutton Drive, you know, driving down to Sutton or getting the train down to Sutton to play, to play these, you know, matches to get your, you know, your rating up. And I was battling a lot in them. And yeah, I mean, my mom and dad put everything into the sport and, you know, with my, with my granddad as well, like, when they were working, my granddad took me to, To a lot of tournaments and, you know, made a lot of a lot of special memories with him. And we, we take the bus to, to the local tournaments and we'd, you know, just, just spend the day with my granddad. And you know, I spent so much time with him and I think the journey for me is, yeah, very family orientated and yeah, just, just very grateful because without them, you know, I wouldn't be playing the sport and I wouldn't be in Vegas overlooking this mountain right now. And you know, I've done a lot of, A lot of cool things for sure. And you know, I think, you know, people always say to me, oh, you're very lucky. You know, even this year, you're very lucky. But I, I believe, like, you create your own luck. And I think, you know, it's all down to you and in here, right? Like, I think I've been raised in a way that, you know, I. Very kind to everybody and I think that pays. It pays a lot like it, you know, you give what you get, right? You get what you give. And this journey for me, like, I've had so many ups and downs and a lot of crazy things have happened to me, A lot of unlucky things have happened to me, but I think I move on pretty quick. Like, I kind of laugh. Like, I could. I have a great story at Wimbledon and I, I chopped off the top of my finger. I don't know if you knew that, but yeah, like, it's a crazy story and.
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B
But yeah, like, you need to tell us now.
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A
I will, I will definitely tell you. But I mean, like, so for example, like, I'm hitting Wimbledon 20, 22, and we're in the second week and I'm, you know, practicing a lot with Djokovic. And I'm at the pub, I met the. Not the Dog and Fox, the other one, the Rose and Crown.
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B
I wouldn't know, Jonesy. I wouldn't know about that.
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A
Yeah. Okay. Okay, so I'm at the Rosen Crown.
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B
I actually met my wife in the Dog and Fox.
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A
Oh, yeah. Unbelievable. Yeah, well, I'm at that pub and, and I'm not drinking. Like, I'm, you know, I'm on the soda water and I'm hitting with djokovic at like 11am the next morning. And yeah, it's, it gets to like 10:00 I was with Sean Hodkin and a few other people and I was like, you know, let's go. And they were like, oh, you know, a couple more minutes. I was like, okay, so there's a deck chair. And I, I went to sit on a deck chair. And as you put your hand out and, yeah, as it, you know, it keeps your weight, the deck chairs collapsed and sliced off the top of this finger. And I mean, it's pretty deformed, but somehow it grew back. It's pretty nuts. So, yeah, I mean, I had to obviously cancel on Djokovic, which is pretty nuts.
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B
You can still get four hands without. Without a left index finger and some
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slice, maybe some chiseling, but. But, yeah, like that. Wow. It was a crazy story. But I think for me, as a, you know, those things have happened to me. A lot of other stupid accidents have happened, but I think if you, you know, if you feel sorry for yourself or dwell on that stuff, then it's. Yeah. So I try and move on as quick as I can and just. Just get back to it.
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B
So I asked you earlier, Jonesy, do you think people are hitting with you because of your tennis or because of your personality and because of your way? I'm telling you right now, I know you got a great forehand cross. I saw you keep telling us on Instagram. You obviously are very good Tenn player, but all due respect, there's hundreds that are. But I think what you've got is something quite unique in how you're. You connect with people. Right. And. And that. That, that authentic way that you're able to do that is such a massive lesson for. For anybody out there, you know, because there's obviously some industries where it's just truly about the skill and, you know, it might be something that someone locks themselves away, and it's just dealing with computers or technology, and they don't need to anyone. But the reality is 95% of this world is about connecting with people.
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A
Yeah.
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B
You know, and if you. If you have the ability to connect with people well, and you've got good values and you've been brought up, and it feels like to me, I've got that inkling from you that you. You're. You're. You're playing or you're. You're living this journey to a higher power.
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A
Sure.
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B
You know, with the family and, you know, those things that. That bring the passion, the love, the hunger, the drive, then I think the world becomes your oyster. And that's what I. I connect with. With your story, and it's why. And I've told you many times, I believe you have, that there's no ceiling for you. You know, and what you. What you. What you go and do, because I think you've got quite a unique way of, of doing that.
- [22:51]
A
Yeah, no thanks. Yeah, I think as well, like with everyone as well, like the, the journey of, of tennis and life, I think is so, you know, it correlates so well with each other and I think that's why, you know, it shapes you as a person. Like tennis. Like, you know, I, the struggles, the ups and downs, the, you know, the loneliness as well and the, you know, it's, it's even. We've had a great chat about, you know, my relationships, my, you know, my, my love relationships and you know, it's not easy, right? And, and you know, you gave me some great advice and just the journey of, of, of tennis and life and, you know, especially in the futures. I remember, I remember I was 21, I think I was 21, and I was camping in a two man tent with Llewellyn Bevan and Ewan Lumsden and we couldn't afford the hotel. We had no money. Yeah, we were in. Where were we? We were in Sintra and we would, we stayed one night in the official hotel, so we had the, the key card and we, you know, I did what I'm good at and I was talking to all the people in the restaurant and the lobby and stuff like that and the workers and you know, they obviously thought they knew our name off by heart and they thought we'd be staying there for the whole two weeks. But, you know, little did they know we were actually pitched the tent on the opposite golf course to the hotel and we were using the key card to get into the gym in the mornings to shower. We would, we would hustle the brekkie. They thought we were staying there and then we'd go about our day playing, playing the matches and then we'd come back and pitch the tent back up out of the, the bag we put it in. You know, we'd get waken up in, you know, in the morning by the sprinklers and the people teeing off. But I think, like, I think stories like that, like, is why I'm so happy, you know, even getting emotional. But yeah, just with my journey and stepping onto Rod Laver with these guys and then it's crazy to me. It really is crazy. So how you go from that to, to that is pretty, pretty special. Granted I'm not, you know, I wish it was me playing there, but I'm loving it. You know, I'm, I wish I was playing the matches, but I'm loving what I'm doing and I'm loving with the, you know, what I'M doing with these players and just being around the. That, you know, that's. I'm there. You know, it doesn't. Okay, I'm there. It doesn't maybe matter so much that I'm not playing, but I'm part of it. And, you know, I'm helping these people and these teams and the players and, you know, getting to know people, and I'm loving it. So, yeah, it's. It's been a. It's been a journey for sure.
- [25:29]
B
Hold that thought. I can't let you go without referencing Dear Dan, you know, like those Dear Deidre people, the people listening now, thinking that I'm all of a sudden the person to go to for love advice. Not anytime, anytime soon are we starting a Dear Dan column. You know, I'll only do it if I get. If I get a hundred Dear Dans, then maybe we'll start. We'll start an open column and it's anonymous. But other than that, I can assure you I'm not the one to go for it for that. It.
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A
It.
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B
So what. What. What I want to move to on that is. It's a word that fascinates me, Jonesy. Actually, it's. It's the word success. Because I think success we almost brought up to think that this success is a very linear word. And it's like, win, success, lose, failure. You know, it's almost, it's too. It's, you know, and like, for me, as an example, like, experiences and memories is massive. Like, that's something. And I was very fortunate with my granddad that taught me that, you know, used to, he used to talk about how he was the richest man in Catch Gate. And I'd be like, what's this guy on about? He's like living in a shed, you know, but he's like. But it was. Look at all these people I have around me and look at these memories I've got and experiences, you know, all of these things. And that's, that's something that stuck with me. How, how would you measure success? What. What does. And, and has that evolved? You know, you're not an old man, but, but you, you've got a little bit more age on you. You'll be 28 relatively soon. You know. How. How has the word success being defined for yourself and how has that evolved over. Over the years?
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A
Well, it's funny you say that. I, I actually had this conversation or as I was explaining a story to someone the other day about the word success. It was pretty funny you asked that. And it was during COVID 2020. And I won't name the coach, but a British coach was like, slating my friend Jack Gibbons, a very good friend of mine. And he was like saying, oh, he's not successful. He's not successful. Like, he's only got a few point, ATP points, whatever. He had like five or six at the time and which is still a hell of a left an effort. And, you know, he kept going.
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B
He's a male model, isn't he?
- [27:52]
A
Yeah, yeah, he's a male model. I mean, guy, six, three. He's, you know, beautiful girlfriend. I mean, life's good, but, you know, and, and a great guy, you know. And this coach was going on about, like, that's not successful, that's not successful. And I turned around and Jack wasn't there at the time and said, you know what? You're slating my friend who, you know, he is successful. Like, you know, in the world of tennis, let's say, like, okay, like, you know, everyone uses that top hundred thing, the ranking, right? But, like, I think success is what you deem as successful for yourself. Like, if that's one point, if that's, you know, whatever it is. Like, I think the word success is, you know, it's down to you and your heart and whatever you deem as successful, and that's success. Like, for me, I, I think I put a lot of pressure on myself being, you know, successful on how many ATP points I could get or, you know, whatever that was. And I think I used to see it as, As a failure for sure, when I was younger. And, you know, I put so much pressure on myself to, to win instead of enjoying the process of playing these matches. And if I lost, I wasn't successful. And, you know, I think I got, you know, I was, I was good. I was like a thousand. I was beating, you know, guys ranked 3, 4, 500. And I don't know, I always wondered to myself, like, why, why am I a thousand? And why can I beat guys 3, 4, 500, but I'm a thousand, like. And I, you know, I put a lot of pressure on myself. And, you know, there was for sure moments where I, you know, I was down on myself. And I wouldn't call it depressed, but I would. I was definitely in a hole and I was down because I was just. I was stuck at a thousand. And I had this number in my head of, you know, what I deemed as a success. And so that took me a while to kind of, you know, process it for sure. And it was, I Think as I've got older, it's got a lot. My mindset about that has changed and like, you know, doing all of this, the hitting and the, you know, these big events, like, I'm. I think I'm successful in. In my own right. You know, I think. I don't think anyone. How do I say that? I don't think anyone could do what I'm doing or have done, let's say, you know, it's, it's. It's not easy. Right. For sure. So I think, like, I gotta give a bit of credit to myself and like I said, just everyone's successful in how. In their own right and what they believe. And. Yeah, I think that's changed over time for me, for sure.
- [30:19]
B
How does that look over the next few years for you in terms of how you measure the success of this next period?
- [30:27]
A
Well, for me, you know, my goals are I'm done with singles now. I just think my body is struggling and I'm not enjoying playing singles as much as I used to, to be honest with you. So I'm just going to play doubles and, you know, do a lot of the, of the hitting work because it's also, you know, it's also great training for me. You know, it's. It's in front of the crowds, in front of. And, And I also ask a lot of questions. I think people don't ask enough questions. And, you know, I asked Carlos a lot of questions and Dennis or, you know, Elena or Amanda. Like, I ask questions, it doesn't matter. Obviously, I'm a male tennis player, but I ask the females the exact same questions as I ask the males. And, you know, it's all, it's all so relevant. And to me, like, I learned a lot from, from these players. Maybe not so much. I don't really ask them tennis questions. I actually probably should ask more, but I ask a lot of, like, mental questions, like, mentally, why did you choose to. To do that shot or, you know, whatever it is on the big moment. So for me, that's, yeah, that's a big one. But like, yeah, the success side of things. Yeah, I definitely wanted to do the hitting stuff, and I'd love to get involved in. In a team, you know, I'd love to get involved working with one player rather than, you know, five or six. Granted, they're all, you know, the best players in the world, but yeah, I feel like I'm in five or six teams, which is great.
- [31:55]
B
It's.
- [31:56]
A
It's really cool and it's unique. Because I don't think anyone's doing that. So it's, it's interesting. But then, you know, you gotta prioritize some players at different times and then you, you know, you're having to like Indian Wells. I was, I was hitting with, you know, Elena, Amanda and Carlos, those, you know, pretty, three big three names. And it was, it was tough like the times and the, you know, fitting them into the schedule, which is, you know, ridiculous to say, but like the times of when they're hitting and it's, it's, it's definitely not easy because you're trying to please everybody. Right. And trying to do a good job. So for my ideal success, like I'd like to be involved with one player eventually. So.
- [32:39]
B
Are you listening? Players, coaches, tie them down. Tie the man down.
- [32:45]
A
Yeah. Geez.
- [32:46]
B
I mean, it's like, come on, it's a no, it's a no brainer, you know, with what you're doing in terms of learning. And, and I, and I'd love for you to share some insights on, on what you've learned from what they've said when you've asked the questions. But what have you learned from what you've seen and what you felt and, and, and if you almost kind of tie that into speaking to let's say 16 year old Jonesy or 14 year old Jonesy.
- [33:13]
A
Yeah.
- [33:13]
B
You know, what, what are the, what are the big messages or the big, the big actions that you've, that you've taken from, from the last couple of years that, that you would teach yourself or, or another junior player?
- [33:27]
A
I think probably the biggest thing for me, like when I was, you know, 14 to 16 to 18, is just, it's the little things and the, the little details that they do and you know, how they operate at the highest level. And I think when I was 14, you know, 16, 18, I, I, I wish I could have done that a little bit better. Every detail matters and just kind of holding yourself accountable. And I think when I was that age, I didn't take full accountability of, you know, what I could control. And I think, you know, I worked hard, don't get me wrong. But it was the little things that I could have done better in the gym. You know, just more time in the gym and eating better and the sleep and, and I mean there's so many things, right. But like when I'm seeing them, how they operate, how they are as people and you know, their routine, they have a routine every day. Like I, I didn't, I don't think I had a routine. Every day was, like, a bit scattered and, you know, not as professional as it could have been, looking back. But, yeah, every day they have a routine and consistency. I think for me, and a lot of. Probably a lot of juniors, they're. They're not as consistent as these guys. Like, they'll work really hard and do everything right for four or five days, and then they'll have two days not off, but they won't do the same or. And then they lose two days. But I think these guys, like, it's. It's every day, it's so consistent and it's, you know, it's like. Like math and science. I don't know. Like, it's just.
- [34:59]
B
It's amazing because of the teams around them as well.
- [35:02]
A
Yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean, yeah, that's. Obviously, they have resources that, you know, I never had or other people don't have. Like, they have, you know, a team of four, five, six people, obviously, you know, telling them what to do, holding them accountable. So, you know, that's for sure, you know, a big advantage that. That they have. And, you know, at Futures and, you know, the juniors, like, most people can't do that. So it's. It's tough. It's. It's really tough. And I think it's. So that's a tough, you know, it's a tough question to maybe compare the two, but, like, as my own experience, just seeing how these guys are now, like, I wish I did, you know, similar things when I was a bit younger. Let's say.
- [35:44]
B
How many people are in Carlos's team?
- [35:48]
A
Let's say, like. But grand slams, close to, like, 10.
- [35:52]
B
And who are they all?
- [35:54]
A
Fitness, physio, doctor, coach. Well, obviously there was two coaches and then his brother, who's an absolute legend, and, yeah, his agent. There's tons. There's absolutely tons.
- [36:11]
B
Are they all there all the time?
- [36:13]
A
Most of the time, yeah. I mean, grandsons. Grandsons are all there, I think.
- [36:17]
B
But on the court, when you're hitting with him.
- [36:19]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, all there. Yeah, all there. So it's. Yeah, I think that's also, like. I mean, huge advantage for him. Of course.
- [36:27]
B
It's.
- [36:27]
A
It's unbelievable. It's like a moving business. Yeah, it's spectacular to see. But then also, like, you know, I ask. I ask the whole team questions as well, like, you know, about my game as well. Like, Samuel Lopez, he helped me a lot with my backhand in Australia.
- [36:43]
B
What did he tell you I was telling me?
- [36:45]
A
Well, I mean, just. Just, I Basically was leaning off the ball, like, a lot. And I was like, ah. Like, the ball's, like, flying. And, you know, he took the time and he said, okay. Like, just. He stopped the session a second. He was like, okay, like, I want you to move through the ball and, you know, almost feel like you're coming to the net. And I was like, okay. So I kept doing it. Kept doing it, and. And it helped a lot. And I think that speaks volumes about his team as well. Like, the fact that they stopped the session and give me advice and try and help me is. It's amazing as he's preparing for a Grand Slam, you know, it's. It's. It's spectacular to. To see and be involved in that. And, yeah, also, like, Juan Carlos, Wimbledon in 2023, we were doing a drill, and I had to slice, cross, or like, it was something like that, let's say. And then he would. Carlos would go line, and he stopped the drill, and he fed me, like, 10 slices and was like, no, no, no. Like, do this for your slice. Not even for the. Obviously it helped the drill, but, you know, to help me and things like that, and his fitness coach last week helping me with my elbow, like, things like that, you know, like, they don't have to do that. So it's. Yeah, it's great to see. I mean, he's one in the world, and he's. He's an unbelievable guy. Like, truly. Truly.
- [37:59]
B
Tell us about Carlos, because I think we all love him, right? We all. Obviously, we don't have the. The insight that you will have, but I think we all see the joy. We all see the. Just the personality, the coolness, the. He just. He just oozes class. He uses everything. What is he really like?
- [38:17]
A
Just. I mean, to put it quite simply, I think he's just a nice, normal guy, like, he. Who happens to be ridiculous at tennis. And, you know, he's, like, you said, so classy, so kind, so just so caring. And, like, even in our practices, like, don't get me wrong, I'm. I'm locked in. Like, I'm. You know, I have. We have fun and we, you know, we joke, but, you know, I'm locked in, and I'm trying to do a good job for him and make him feel good on the court and stuff. And, you know, even if I miss, like, it's fine. Like, he's not. He laughs or whatever. You know, he's not bothered. Whereas some players, if I miss. Oh, yeah, yeah, It's. It's a. It's a problem. So yeah, I mean during the. This story is pretty awesome. So the Wimbledon final. Before playing Sinner last year, I warmed him up outside court. Another insane memory for me. It's absolutely packed, packed beyond belief. And it was so, so special before a final. And we finish, it was a great session. And you know, he gives me a hug, says thanks and then I point out my, my parents, I'm like, oh, my mum and dad are over there. Like they love that. And without hesitation he went straight over to them, shook their hand, you know, gave them a hug, took a photo with them and me before the Wimbledon, the final. Like, are you kidding me? Like that's unheard of. It's amazing. And just, just that for me, like people always ask me, you know, is he a nice guy? And I say that story, I mean it's pretty, pretty awesome. And it's great, great to hear because I don't think a lot of people, you know, are like that when you
- [39:51]
B
see him in that environment. And when you see these players also Rubakaner, are they, are they the same? Is a final the same for them or do you feel a little different on that final day?
- [40:05]
A
Good question. I feel, I feel at the start of the warm ups, I do feel a little bit more tension, let's say. There's a bit obviously a lot on the line and I think not like an angry tension but like the nerves I think at the start of the warm ups and you know how they are before the warm up and how they are with you. Like I. There's a bit more nervous tension, let's say. But then once you're five, ten minutes in, you know, they relax and it's all, it's all kind of back to normal and. But it's special before those finals for
- [40:35]
B
sure because I always, I always tell the story that I think it was 20, I can't remember the exact year, maybe 22 on Jabeur played von Trusova in the final. Was that 23 maybe?
- [40:49]
A
Yeah.
- [40:49]
B
And Ons chose to hit on center court. I remember that before the final when von Druseva hit on the Southlands court that she's been hitting on every, every day and just completely normalized the day. And Ons actually turned up on center court. I don't know if you remember this, but she turned up wearing black.
- [41:12]
A
Yes. Do you remember that?
- [41:13]
B
And they said you can't hit until you. So she then had to go and change. And the whole. You talk about routines, right? You know, and, and all of a Sudden her whole routine was different. And I think we all saw on that day that on the nerves were too much. Granted she was playing a lot, a lot of pressure on her. Where Andrew Siva was just. The rest of Czech always win. People from Czech always win. But just the importance of those small details and those routines of keeping you in. I always think it's interesting to see how they are in, in, in that. So in that sort of environment.
- [41:49]
A
I agree. Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure. And it's, you know, it's interesting to observe for me as well like, like what courts do they hit on before the big matches, before the quarterfinals or like what kind of changes and each player is a little bit different. You know, I remember Elena, we, we practice on Rod Laver before the final and arena she didn't. And I think Elena got off to a much better start than Irina. So I don't know. I think those details are very interesting and I think it definitely helped her that we hit on, on Rod Laver before the match. So it's, yeah, it's interesting to see what all these players do or if they change it or where they hit and the times as well. I find the times super interesting. You compare it to like, you know, the futures or something. Like usually, I mean. Yeah, yeah, it's obviously so different, so it's tough to compare. But like you can't get caught. You can't book an hour, you can't book, you know, early doors or whatever. So it's like you're practicing an hour or something or two hours before your match and then you. It's just, it's a big difference, you know. So like Carlos at Indian Wells, he's like playing it say not before six, like we hit one till two, you know. And then there's been a couple of occasions where I've hit with Elena in the morning and then again in the after, in the afternoon if she's playing a night match. So it's. Everybody's different and it's, it's really interesting for me to see all these different habits and their routines.
- [43:19]
B
I don't know if you hit with him the day he actually. Who did he play in Indian Wells? And he lost the first set, 7, 6. But then he won in.
- [43:30]
A
I did hit with him. Rindenk.
- [43:32]
B
Yep. The girls were playing at the same time or whatever it was. We were in the warm up area at the same time and I think it was. IGA was playing on the court before and as we left to either go and practice or Go to our match. Alcaraz had been in the warm up area for about six minutes but he was in his match kit. So I was like, okay, he's, he's in early maybe, maybe I thought in my head I thought that he was playing at 7pm and it was about let's say 10 to 6 when he was there and he was in his match kit. But he looked, and he was looking around and all of his team was there but the fitness coach. And he pulled out a mat, but he looked a bit stressed and he started stretching but he was like shouting at his team basically, where the hell is my Spanish isn't great. But I understood enough. Where the hell's the fitness coach? Then the fitness coach came in two or three minutes, minutes later, bright red, had like all the equipment in the kit and Alcaraz had a proper go at him and then the fitness coach started stretching him and then literally four minutes later he was called. So yeah, I don't know what happened for the match. I don't know whether they got, how they got their timings wrong. It was obviously tennis's unique sport. You, you followed by. And we went and played our match, our practice, whatever it was. And I was at a wonder how. And I was, oh, we lost the first set and I was like. And it just goes to show like even in our, in our sport, all of those, that a team of 10 you can still get caught short.
- [45:15]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, 100 because.
- [45:17]
B
And eager had won two and one in let's say like 57 minutes or whatever it is. And obviously Eager's match could be three and a half hours. So that whole kind of preparation time. Yeah, really interesting to see and, and, and, and understand how different everybody is. Tell me and you don't have to give me a name but your hardest ever hit and why.
- [45:39]
A
Oh, I've got this one. I, I won't say the name because I actually got in trouble at Wimbledon. Someone asked, I did an interview with somebody at Wimbledon and, and I got asked this question and I said the name and anyway, I got in a bit of trouble from Wimbledon, so that was an interesting one. But he is an American tennis player and it was at Wimbledon and I remember, yeah, oh, I remember going down to the practice court at Orangi and another player who I was hitting with, I won't name the name but I walked past him and he said, oh, good luck. And I was like, what do you mean? He's like, well, good luck. And I was like, okay. So yeah, didn't think much of it. And then, yeah, we start hitting. And all my hits, every session I've ever done in my life, you start, you know, you start slow. You. You know, you build up a rhythm and a groove. And, yeah, this. This. This woman didn't start like that. She absolutely nuked the ball. And I'm like, you know, I'm just massaging it around at the start. She starts swearing at me. Hit the. Hit the effing ball. Oh, yeah, hit the effing ball, man. I thought I'd just put it away because I know I said American. That was my American accent. And, yeah, so she's swearing at me. She's going nuts. And then I'm like, okay, so I start nuking the forehand. And she can't control that pace on Orangi grass. Right?
- [47:04]
B
Who can?
- [47:05]
A
Who can? Exactly, Exactly. So she's then shanking the ball left, right and center, and it's just going atrocious. And we're probably six minutes in, she's throwing a racket, hitting the ball everywhere. So then I woke up and I said, just hit. Hit with your. Hit with your coach, and I walked off the court.
- [47:21]
B
Did you?
- [47:22]
A
Yeah. She was vile, actually. Probably one. Probably one of the worst humans I've come across in that interaction. It was atrocious.
- [47:31]
B
Wow. Well done. Are you. Are you supported by the Wimbledon hitting partner organizers in that?
- [47:39]
A
Yeah. I mean, Peter Finn is the head of the practice, and he's. He's amazing. And, you know, I explained the situation to him, and he's always, always got our back. And, you know, he looked into it and, you know, decided that, you know, the coach then came up and apologized to me. She never, ever spoke of it again. But the coach came up and apologized, and I said, okay, but I'll never hit with her again, and I never have hit with her again.
- [48:06]
B
And if any of the players that you've hit with played her in any tournaments when you've been there?
- [48:12]
A
No, I don't think so. I don't think so. I try and avoid this. This person. Yeah, she was. Yeah, not very. Not very nice.
- [48:21]
B
So, yeah, I've got a few names
- [48:23]
A
in my head, but I've told that story to a lot of people, so I don't think it'll be tough to find that out.
- [48:29]
B
Yeah, exactly. And. And I have to ask you about one. It was actually. It was the coach of Louisa Stefani, who plays with Gabby Dabrowski. Ghee. Great guy, and he loves Novak. And he. He was showing me a video the Other day we were actually looking to see if Novak was hitting with Tom.
- [48:49]
A
Okay.
- [48:50]
B
Obviously Tom Lindley from Soto Tennis Academy, who, you know.
- [48:52]
A
Well, great.
- [48:54]
B
He wasn't, but he said that he was watching and you got moved to the side of the hit. And on the video he showed me Novak's hitting with this guy and you're stood there at the side and not.
- [49:11]
A
Was that at Wimbledon?
- [49:12]
B
At Wimbledon?
- [49:13]
A
No, I think.
- [49:15]
B
Tell me this story. What happened, Johnsy, what happened? This was last year.
- [49:20]
A
Was that with Sean Hodkin? Was it.
- [49:21]
B
Was that maybe, maybe because. No, the court on the side. The court on the side.
- [49:27]
A
Ah, I don't think there's much of a. I don't think there's much of a story to that. I remember, I remember, yeah, me and Sean were doing a session and like, I, I was pretty good, I think, and yeah, maybe not hitting the correct ball that he wanted. And I think that, yeah, that he asked me to stop for a sec.
- [49:51]
B
How do you feel when the greatest of all time has moved you to the side?
- [49:56]
A
It's not great. It doesn't make you feel brilliant. But I, you know, it's a great story and to, you know, it's a, it's a great memory. Right. So. But then I was subbed back in and I think it went, you know, it went well, but I remember, I remember Djokovic warmed up with David Quayle and Caleb Sims at Wimbledon. And you know, I'm sorry to those two, but they were absolutely diabolical and they were so tight they couldn't make a ball. And these two are my good friends. I'm sure they won't mind me saying that, but they were well deflected. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll move on to this one. But. And he was snapping, absolutely snapping. And it was, you know, I wouldn't say I was laughing, but I was. It was, it was a, it was a funny moment for me to sit there with a coffee and watch that unfold. So, yeah, it was an interesting one.
- [50:49]
B
My last question on, on hitting partner stuff, it's obviously, I think it's a fascinating subject. Right. And I'm sure you get asked a lot of questions on it because people are very interested, but it's, this is my curiosity. Do you find that the majority of players are doing the same thing? So during the tournament where it's kind of quite, quite run of the mill, warm up cross courts, how much of it is that kind of general tennis practice and how much of it is specifics to a game, style, patterns, yeah. Where does serve return come into that as well?
- [51:27]
A
I would say like before the tournament, before, you know, the first match, like a lot of it is, you know, patterns and you know, drills set up in, you know, pattern play. I would say like, you know, the coach would feed, dunno, Carlos a short ball, he'd approach my backhand, I'd attempt to pass him and you know, we'd play the point out. Let's say, you know, like running forehand and you go cross and you play like just point play scenario but with certain shots in mind. I would say there's a lot of that, a lot of two cross, one line. I don't necessarily play a lot of points with serves, like sets with them. Like you know, I mentioned sinner earlier. That was. I don't really know why that happened, but we did it.
- [52:09]
B
They'll often do that together, won't they?
- [52:11]
A
Yeah, yeah, exactly. A lot of it is, you know, with me, just that sort of stuff. And then once the, you know, once the tournament kicks off, then it's just match warm ups mostly. And then like, you know, a day in between, like at the Slams, we'll do, you know, a full match warm up and then we'll do a few, you know, point play scenarios. Maybe the day before something didn't go as well. So we'll practice that and then finishes some feeds and it's, it's a lot easier I think when the tournament starts. For me anyway, you know, before the tournament, like it's, it's tough, like it's, you know, I'm running a lot. It's, it's not, it's actual training, you know, but then when the tournament starts, it's just about rhythm mostly and feeling good and, and then getting out there,
- [52:55]
B
you know, and you mentioned earlier it's helped you and I'm sure it has in lots of ways. But you think it's also hindered you, the fact that you're having to change how you hit the ball. You're having to, you're having to be a bit of the bitch boy playing the way they want you to play. You're not, you're not playing the way you want to play. You're not developing your strengths, you're not your identity, you know. Has there been a hindrance as well?
- [53:20]
A
Yeah, there's definitely pros and cons for sure. You know, like you said, it's, you know, I'm there for them at the end of the day. So, you know, but I think most of these sessions, like, apart from the, the crazy, the crazy woman I hit with, like, most of these sessions are, you know, I'm free to kind of hit the ball how I want. Like, okay. Sometimes they'll say, you know, hit a little bit different, but nothing, nothing crazy, like, with Elena, I'm absolutely tubing the ball. Like, I'm hitting exactly the same, and we hit great together. And, you know, it's, it's, for an example with her, like, it's, I just played the same. But yeah, there's pros and cons to this, definitely, but I think there's more pros than, than cons. Like, you know, with the crowds, with the, the people that I've met, the, the experience. And, like, you know, none of my friends have, have really done this to this extent. And, yeah, I think it's, for me, it's, it's awesome. Like, if I can, I'm hitting with the best players in the world on the biggest stages, you know, I'd rather do that than grind 40 weeks in Tunisian jungles, you know?
- [54:27]
B
Yeah.
- [54:27]
A
So it's, it's trying to find a balance.
- [54:30]
B
And you're, you're playing tomorrow in Vegas in the, in the Futures. How, how does Elena's serve match up to a male serve on the Futures Tour?
- [54:40]
A
Her serves are unbelievable. Like, she's so good at tennis. It's, it's pretty insane, actually. Like, when I'm hitting with her, like, yeah, it's, it's pretty scary. And the pace, the, you know, the accuracy, the, the tempo, just the way she hits the ball, her movement, like, everything is pretty similar, you know.
- [55:01]
B
If she played on the men's, too, what would a ranking be?
- [55:03]
A
I don't know. It's a tough. I don't know. I, I, I, I plead the fifth. I don't know, actually.
- [55:09]
B
Well, come on, you gotta answer this. And just remember, Dan Evans is listening.
- [55:14]
A
Dan Evans. I did a stint with him as well. Unbelievable guy. I don't, Honestly, I don't know. I can't say. I don't know.
- [55:22]
B
Come on.
- [55:23]
A
I can't say. I can't, I can't.
- [55:24]
B
Don't you be, don't you be chucking these bloody coffee ratings out left, right, and center and then not. And I asked you about your area of expertise and tennis, and you're not giving me an answer.
- [55:35]
A
I would say, I would say two something, would you? Yeah, I think so. Yeah.
- [55:42]
B
You think she'd have it, too?
- [55:44]
A
I think she'd have a two. Yeah. She's very, very good. I, I mean, she is Very, very good. Yeah, it's a, it's a tough question, I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say it too, but Dan Evans is, he gives, he, he loves this sort of chat.
- [55:55]
B
So I, I, what would Dan give, what would Dan give her?
- [55:58]
A
We'll have to ask him. I, I will have to ask him. I, I, I'd like to hear Dan's opinion, but mind I'm saying to, I
- [56:05]
B
think I'd be more 5.
- [56:07]
A
It's an interesting question.
- [56:10]
B
I think it is, but coffee, now, I'm maybe not the best person to talk about coffee because I hate coffee.
- [56:19]
A
Okay.
- [56:20]
B
I, I hate coffee. Sweets, quality streets, we know that coffee was always left in my family. And you'd, you get a chocolate on like Boxing Day and you'd be like, oh, there's one left, but it'll be a bloody coffee one.
- [56:31]
A
Yeah.
- [56:31]
B
You know, like, the only way I can drink coffee and it's not good for my, for my physical shape is by basically chucking in a bunch of caramel to take the taste of coffee away. So I'm not a great coffee person. But that's kind of how you've got us all addicted to you and that's kind of how you've got the algorithm going. This, this love of coffee. So when did the love of coffee start? Give us, give us your coffee story?
- [56:58]
A
I think my coffee story, I, I'm 27. I think I started, you know, drinking a lot of coffee when I was like 21, 22. And just with the traveling and I, you know, I, I love meeting people.
- [57:10]
B
Relatively recent.
- [57:11]
A
Yeah, relatively recent, for sure. And like, I, I love meeting people and experiences and talking to people. And I found going to coffee shops was quite a, an interesting way to get to know people and the baristas and just kind of a coffee experience. And a lot of tennis players love coffee. A lot of the Brits, Dan Evans, I've traveled with him a bit and he loves the coffee. Skopskis love it. I mean, a lot of tennis players, yeah, they love it. So I think, yeah, and I was like, I'm spending a lot of money on coffee and I'm not really getting anything in return, but I'm getting a, you know, great experience. So I was like, I might as well have a laugh with it. And, you know, these videos kind of started off as a joke and then I got, you know, a lot of views and a lot of more followers and I was like, ah, maybe, maybe I'm onto something. So, yeah, a flat white forehands and flat whites. That's. Yeah. But it's kind of interesting even at like in Australia or Indian worlds, like players, you know, bloody good players. They don't follow me on Instagram, but they watch my videos and they say about, you know, the last video.
- [58:17]
B
Tell us who's come up to you.
- [58:19]
A
Well, in Indian Wells, Sinner, Sinner and his team, they're loving the, loving the videos and, you know, just, just. Yeah, they love it. So it's interesting, you know, and they don't follow me on Instagram, so it must be popping up every now and again. So it's good. I mean, yeah, it's been. And I just have a laugh with it. I think these videos are like, I'm just myself. I'm not trying to be anything that I'm. That I'm not. I have a lot of start.
- [58:45]
B
Give us the start. What do you say at the start?
- [58:47]
A
I say, guys, it's Jonesy here. And. And yeah, that, that kind of just. And every day, like even today in the tournament, everyone's shouting gems. So, yeah, it's funny. Like, I ran and I've had quite a few people who I don't even know. Like, you know, I wouldn't call them fans, but ask for photos at like Indian Wells or whatever. And I'm like, whoa. It's kind of, kind of cool.
- [59:16]
B
How do you monetize this?
- [59:18]
A
Well, next year I'm going to be opening my first coffee shop in, in London. So. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Gotta stay tuned for that. So, yeah, that'll be pretty, pretty cool. It's called Four Hands and Flat Whites. So there you go, see what happens.
- [59:38]
B
Because that's part. Because we do a quick fire round here. Control the controllables. And we're going to do that. But I do, I did prepare a little quick fire coffee round.
- [59:48]
A
Okay.
- [59:48]
B
For you. And actually that's one of the questions so that you can still answer it. It'll be an easy. It'll be an easy answer. What's your highest rated coffee been? What? What's the rating? And where was it?
- [59:59]
A
I think it was. It was like an 8 something. I'll have to fact check myself, but it was like an eight something and it was in Australia. And you know that there's been a lot of. A lot of stick as well, sometimes about my ratings and too high, too low, whatever. But for me it's. It's not just about the coffee, you know, it's the experience, it's the. It's the people in there. It's the, the vibe, the location, the, the barista, you know, there's a lot of things to, to go in it. And the cup, that's a big one for me. Like a ceramic cup or a paper cup or whatever. The tipping system, like how, how they are. There's a lot to it, you know, it's not just the coffee.
- [60:41]
B
Well, it's a tipping system. It can't be an American one that wins.
- [60:45]
A
American tipping and coffee, it's too much for me. The iPad turn. They turn the iPad and they shove it in your face. It's. It's not good. And the coffee in America is terrible. Terrible.
- [60:57]
B
What's your lowest rating? Where was that?
- [60:59]
A
It's like a three something. I think it was sewer, like sewer water in Tunisia or something. It was terrible. Terrible.
- [61:07]
B
But yeah, and, and forget the rating. What's your best ever? Flat white. So not, not nothing to do with the, the other stuff. The actual flat white itself. What's the best one you've had?
- [61:21]
A
Probably, I can't remember the name. It. Dan Evans actually pointed it out to me. I'll have to think of the name. It was somewhere in Melbourne. I went with him a few times. It was unbelievable. I need to, I need to like make maybe an app or, or have something like write this stuff down because
- [61:38]
B
I, I forget actually what makes it good. What makes a good coffee?
- [61:42]
A
The beans, how they roast them. Like just. I, to be honest, I don't really, really know myself. Just, just. Yeah, how it tastes like the, the milk to, to coffee ratio, the, the size. Like a flat white should be an 8 ounce, 8 ounce cup. And you know, sometimes it's 12 or 16 or whatever. Like, I think a flat white is, is such a good way to rate a coffee shop. You know, it's such a. I don't know, It's. That's how I got into it and I love a flat white and just started as a joke and here we are.
- [62:15]
B
Be careful on this answer because I'm going to ask you. I've asked you a lot of questions today. We've talked about a lot of things. Yeah. Your answer to this is the one part of this whole podcast that's going to go viral.
- [62:27]
A
Mm. Okay.
- [62:28]
B
Which is the best country for coffee?
- [62:30]
A
The best country for coffee is Italy.
- [62:34]
B
Not Australia. The tennis world loves saying Australia.
- [62:38]
A
I'd say Italy. Personally, I'd say Italy. But also, I mean, Australia is unbelievable as well. It's also unbelievable for me. I'd say Italy. As a coffee lover and the experience, I'd probably I'd say Italy, Italian coffee is amazing.
- [62:56]
B
Definitely not. America, the biggest.
- [62:58]
A
No, no country America, it's the worst. It's the worst. I think America, you know, they want to be the best and I love America. I, I want to live here forever. But I, the coffee is atrocious. Atrocious.
- [63:12]
B
Even the black coffee that they bring out at breakfast, everywhere, wherever you go,
- [63:15]
A
trash, it's absolute trash. In the motels, it's terrible. And then they want a tip.
- [63:22]
B
Yeah. And who's, who's the best barista that
- [63:25]
A
you've had and why the best barista poor? Well, it depends. I've had a lot of beautiful blondes baristas. So. Yeah, it depends. I, it all depends. I like. Yeah, a nice blonde barista.
- [63:42]
B
Was he, is he a good looking blonde or.
- [63:44]
A
No, it was a female good looking blonde. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [63:49]
B
And, and your, your best flat white story.
- [63:53]
A
Yeah. Probably a story that I shouldn't say but I, I, I'm at Wimbledon and before the, you know, before the play starts and I always would sit on center court with a flat white and I'm like up, up in the stands and I'm trying to like take a video and I basically my friend is videoing me and I have the coffee like, you know, on the railing and I've like moved and I've elbowed my coffee onto center court. Like it's not, I don't think it really went on the grass but it's like gone all around the side and it was a mess. It was an absolute mess. Like everybody's just, you know, everyone's snapping and confused as to, you know, what I've just done. And yeah, so that was, that was pretty embarrassing. And I definitely didn't rate, rate that coffee, that's for sure.
- [64:47]
B
And the biggest celebrity to reply to one of your coffee posts. So Sinner spoke to you but what about someone actually replying on Instagram probably.
- [65:00]
A
Ah, it's a tough question. Tough question. I would maybe Jojo Siwa and Chris Hughes. They're both, yeah, both pretty famous, I'd say. And it's a tough question. I'll have to, I'll have to think about that one. Those two are pretty up there though.
- [65:18]
B
And I'm setting you up now because what would the name of your coffee shop be?
- [65:24]
A
4 hands and flat whites. That's the name.
- [65:28]
B
There we go. Get yourself to forehands and flat whites.
- [65:32]
A
Come on.
- [65:33]
B
Coming soon. Watch this space and, and Johnsy, what's the future for you? You've got, I guess That I break it down. I, I look at you as a tennis player, a hitting partner, potential coach. I think you do a great job as a coach and, and an influencer, you know, someone who, I've seen you kind of, you're popping up with bottles of water. I've seen that you've just got another deal this week. It's, you know, you start, it's starting to, it's starting to move, it's starting to mortar. What does the future hold for yourself?
- [66:06]
A
I would like to get as high as I can in doubles. I think I'm going to focus a lot on that. Well, I am going to focus a lot on doubles and get as high as I can. And that would be number one. Number two, I want to, you know, for sure get in a team with the top player individually and, yeah, be a hitting partner for that team and then hopefully eventually transition into coaching along the lines, you know, of a top player. And I love the, I love the travel and, yeah, I love this life of. I'm sat in Vegas right now. It's, it's not bad from a kid from, from Birkenhead. So I think, yeah, just enjoying the journey and not really having a plan. I think I'd never planned for any of this. I didn't think any of this would ever happen to me. So, yeah, just enjoying the journey and living the dream, as my, my granddad would say.
- [67:03]
B
Setting up a cot and setting up a coffee shop.
- [67:05]
A
Exactly, exactly. Maybe some male modeling after the haircut. I'm not sure. But let's see.
- [67:11]
B
We'll leave that to Jack.
- [67:13]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [67:15]
B
In terms of, to, to finish off. But before we finish off, Jonesy, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for making me wait. I, I, I appreciate the, the diva behavior. You know, I like it. You know. Why, Sorry. You know, when you're building this brand, it's good to, it's good to just make, make people wait, you know, keep, treat them mean, keep them keen.
- [67:37]
A
That was intentional.
- [67:40]
B
I, I always enjoy our conversations. I, I love what you're doing. I personally, look, I'm a big tennis enthusiast. I'm a big tennis supporter. I, I definitely have had times when I, I haven't been, you know, I, when I go back to probably my, some of my junior days, I probably was in some quite dark places with the sport, but I actually think the sport offers so much more than people realize. And I think, I think people are starting to see that. I hope people are starting to see that. The, there's there's many ways to skin the cat. And it's. We don't just have space for players that are coming in and going to be top 50 in the world. That's just, it's not reality. And I be making a living in this sport many different ways, you know, and, and I do think there is a space for, for this hybrid role. You know, we had Felix from the Tennis Brothers on the podcast. He's making some good money with what he's doing with all his YouTubes, those YouTube things, you know, and it's. And I, I think there's. Now there's a real opportunity within the sport to do different things. And who are we to judge people and say that they can't do that? So, you know, I think having these stories out there, you know, you then being able to fund your tennis to stick at it, and who's to say you can't be a top 50 doubles player in the world, you know, and, and, and, and live that dream as well. So I'm, I'm fully behind you. A big, big fan and supporter of yours as well. Jonesy, one day. I thought you were a clown. I, I certainly don't think that anymore. I think you're a, you're. You're a top, top human being and wishing. Wishing you all, all the very best over the next few months and years.
- [69:15]
A
Thanks very much. And vice versa. Vice versa. Yeah. It's great to see what you're doing as well.
- [69:20]
B
Thanks, Johnsy. Are you ready for our last. Our last quick fire round?
- [69:25]
A
I'm ready. I'm ready.
- [69:27]
B
What does control the controllables mean to you?
- [69:30]
A
It means control you can control and what's in your power. Like, don't worry about things that, like, you can't control, like, just focus on yourself and, and yeah, the rest will come. Don't worry about the outside stuff.
- [69:45]
B
What's your favorite Grand Slam? Wimbledon singles or doubles?
- [69:50]
A
Singles to watch, Doubles to play.
- [69:53]
B
Who's the greatest male player of all time?
- [69:56]
A
The greatest. Roger Federer. The best. Novak Djokovic.
- [70:00]
B
The greatest female player of all time?
- [70:03]
A
Serena Williams.
- [70:04]
B
Will Serena be coming back this year?
- [70:08]
A
Yes. Yes.
- [70:09]
B
You know that or you think that?
- [70:11]
A
I think that.
- [70:12]
B
On court coaching or not?
- [70:15]
A
Yes.
- [70:16]
B
Medical timeout or not?
- [70:18]
A
For the right reason. Yeah.
- [70:20]
B
Net cords on serve or not?
- [70:23]
A
Yes.
- [70:24]
B
What's one rule change that you would have in tennis?
- [70:28]
A
Time between points? I think if it's a short point, it needs to be less. If it's a long point, it needs to be more. I think, I think that could Change for sure. I think it's a tough rule.
- [70:38]
B
And who should our next guest be on controller controllables?
- [70:42]
A
Carlos Alcaraz.
- [70:43]
B
Well, you've answered that question. That means you're responsible for getting Carlos Alcaraz on to control the controllables.
- [70:49]
A
Okay, I will try my very best.
- [70:53]
B
Over to you, Mr. Jones. Top man. Good luck tomorrow. Thank you so much for coming on. We're going to get you back on in a year's time because I have no doubt you're going to have lots more to talk about in 12 months. Keep it rocking, young man. Thank you.
- [71:07]
A
Thanks very much. Thanks, mate. Cheers.
- [71:09]
B
And it was well worth the wait to speak to Adam Jones, or as we all know him, Jones. Ian, what a delightful young man he is. Someone who is, yeah, finding his way in life in the tennis world in, in quite a different way, you know, and having some, some achievement on the court as a player, but also hybriding that into, into his world and, and having these opportunities and these experiences and he only scratched the surface on the stories that he told us there, you know, but imagine that, what he's experiencing, being around the best players in the world, you know, being very much on first name terms, having these conversations. How cool is that Yannick Sinner and his team coming up and saying that they'd seen him and he's, you know, talking about the flat whites and, you know, just something very, very hearing about him. And we saw that emotional side as well, that, that North Star, that he's doing this for his family. He's got that he knows where he's from. He's so grounded by that. And I think, you know, that's something that we all need in this life. You know, it makes, makes such a difference when, when that purpose is strong, that North Star is strong. And we're going to see a lot of Adam Jones over the next few years. I have, I have no doubt, you know, whether that is him as a tennis player, whether that is him on the tour as a hidden or whether forehands of flat whites is going to take off as a coffee shop. He's got a little bit of X factor and he's someone that was a delight to speak to and I look forward to hearing how it is. We'll maybe get him on in 12 months time and find out how it is all going so big, big thanks to Jonesy. Hope you enjoyed that one. I myself am bringing this to you from Miami. A long time away from home, obviously missing the family terribly. The reality, the, the reality of the Tour. It's not, it's not easy, you know, it's not easy for us coaches. Yes, We' and lovely hotels in some of the best places in the world and we love what we do. But there is a burnout that happens. I think we saw it with Carlos Alcaraz a little bit this week. He, yes, fair play to Seb Corder beating him, but he did look a little bit burnt out and I think we see it. No, Medvedevs also lost after doing so well in Indian Wells. You know, we're seeing Eagles, Viontec massively struggling. It's a lot, you know, and it's these, these players. But just spare a, spare a thought also, not just for the players, but for all rest of the people in the ecosystem and those families that all of these people, including myself, are away from as well, you know, that is something that I think we should also just, just shine a light on sometimes. So big love to certainly all of my family. Big love to all the families that are supporting people that are, that are out here in this crazy traveling circus. Lots more to come. It's not long before we're going to be back in Europe for the clay court season. I do have a couple of great guests lined up in terms of coaches, of top players, which I hope to be bringing to you in the next, in the next week or two. And as ever, get in touch if you want to hear from us, you want to speak to anyone. Let's see if Mr. Jones can get Carlos Alcaraz. I mean, that would be some hue, wouldn't it, if he could turn that one around. So if anyone can, it's Jonesy. Could you imagine that? But we look forward to bringing lots more guests and looking to forward, forward to the tennis season, coming back to Europe and hope to see some of you out there at the tournaments over the next few months. Thank you for all the support. But until next time, I'm Dan Kiernan and we are control, the controllables.