Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina both won their first-ever Australian Open titles at the 2026 event.
Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to lift the Australian Open, which made him the youngest male player to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
Rybakina, meanwhile, continued her incredible form by dispatching world number one Aryna Sabalenka to lift her first Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2022.
Both Australian Open champions share the same hitting partner, and he’s a British star ranked outside the top 900.
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina’s British hitting partner
British tennis star Adam Jones has not really managed to stamp his authority on the ATP Tour as a singles star, but he had a huge effect on this year’s Australian Open.
Jones was out in Melbourne acting as a hitting partner for top stars, and he worked with both Alcaraz and Rybakina.
Do you believe Carlos Alcaraz is already the greatest tennis player of all time?
The Brit, who is currently ranked World No. 954, helped the two champions prepare throughout the tournament.
Taking to Instagram after Rybakina lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, Jones wrote: “Wow wow wow, well done Elena Rybakina. The Jonesy forehand just gives too much rhythm,” alongside a picture with the Australian Open champion.
Jones soaked in the adulation with a picture with Alcaraz, too, alongside the caption: “Congrats to the boy, Carlos Alcaraz, you legend!”
Adam Jones’ strange side hustle away from tennis
The life of a lower-ranked tennis player can be hard, but Jones tries to maintain a lighthearted outlook on the life of a tennis player.
As well as working with the biggest stars in tennis, Jones also posts coffee reviews on his social media from around the world.
On his Buy Me a Coffee site, he writes: “Delivering the the best and honest flat white reviews from around the world…and occasionally play some tennis on the side.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
“On a Serious note I’m a Tennis Professional ranked amongst the top 1000 players in the world on a journey to reach the top.
“You’re not only supporting my content but also my passion and my dream of playing tennis on the biggest stage. VAMOS!!!”
You can donate to Adam Jones’ cause here following his incredible work with two Grand Slam champions.
