Kelly Jones (tennis)

Last updated

Kelly Jones
Country (sports)Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Tampa, Florida, US
Born (1964-03-31) March 31, 1964 (age 60)
Fort Gordon, Georgia, US
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Turned pro1986
Retired1998
PlaysRight-handed
Prize money$1,168,278
Singles
Career record48–84
Career titles2
Highest rankingNo. 86 (August 13, 1990)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open 4R (1993)
French Open 2R (1990)
Wimbledon 3R (1990)
US Open 2R (1987, 1988, 1990)
Doubles
Career record220–204
Career titles8
Highest ranking No. 1 (October 12, 1992)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open F (1992)
French Open 2R (1990, 1995, 1996)
Wimbledon 3R (1992)
US Open F (1992)

Kelly Jones (born March 31, 1964) is an American former doubles world No. 1 tennis player. Jones reached the finals in doubles at the Australian and US Opens in 1992. He was the Head Men's Tennis Coach at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina from 2011-2019. He was replace by former assistant J.J. Whitlinger.

Contents

Biography

Jones played varsity tennis at Pepperdine University from 1982 to 1985, where he won the NCAA Division 1 doubles title in 1984 and 1985. He was a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games U.S. tennis team.

Jones joined the professional tour in 1986. He won his first top-level doubles title in 1987 at Auckland.

In 1988, Jones finished runner-up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, partnering Gretchen Magers.

Jones was runner-up in the men's doubles at both the Australian Open and the US Open in 1992, partnering Rick Leach. In October that year, he reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking for 1 week.

After 12 years on the professional tour, Jones retired in 1998. During his career, he won eight top-level doubles titles. Jones also won a tour singles event in Singapore, where he captured the title both in 1989 and 1990. His best singles performance at a Grand Slam event was at the 1993 Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 86 (in 1990). Jones' career prize-money earnings totaled US$1,165,009.

Since retiring from the tour, Jones has coached high-profile players including Mardy Fish, Xavier Malisse and James Blake.

Jones is married to Tami Whitlinger, a former professional tennis player.

Career finals

Singles (2 wins)

ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1–0May 1989 Singapore Hard Flag of Israel.svg Amos Mansdorf 6–1, 7–5
Win2–0May 1990SingaporeHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Richard Fromberg 6–4, 2–6, 7–6

Doubles (8 wins - 10 losses)

Legend
Grand Slam (0–2)
Tennis Masters Cup (0–0)
ATP Masters Series (0–1)
ATP Championship Series (2–0)
ATP Tour (6–7)
Titles by surface
Hard (4–5)
Clay (1–2)
Grass (1–1)
Carpet (2–2)
ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0Jan 1987 Auckland, New ZealandHard Flag of the United States.svg Brad Pearce Flag of Australia (converted).svg Carl Limberger
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Woodforde
7–6, 7–6
Loss1–1Feb 1987 Lyon, France Carpet Flag of the United States.svg David Pate Flag of France.svg Guy Forget
Flag of France.svg Yannick Noah
6–4, 3–6, 4–6
Loss1–2Oct 1987 Toulouse, FranceHard (i) Flag of Germany.svg Patrik Kühnen Flag of Poland.svg Wojtek Fibak
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michiel Schapers
2–6, 4–6
Win2–2Jul 1988 Newport, U.S.Grass Flag of Sweden.svg Peter Lundgren Flag of the United States.svg Scott Davis
Flag of the United States.svg Dan Goldie
6–3, 7–6
Loss2–3Nov 1989 Johannesburg, South AfricaHard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Joey Rive Flag of the United States.svg Luke Jensen
Flag of the United States.svg Richey Reneberg
0–6, 4–6
Win3–3Jan 1990Auckland, New ZealandHard Flag of the United States.svg Robert Van't Hof Flag of Israel.svg Gilad Bloom
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Paul Haarhuis
7–6, 6–0
Win4–3Feb 1990 San Francisco, U.S.Carpet Flag of the United States.svg Robert Van’t Hof Flag of the United States.svg Glenn Layendecker
Flag of the United States.svg Richey Reneberg
2–6, 7–6, 6–3
Loss4–4Jun 1990 Manchester, EnglandGrass Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Brown Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Kratzmann
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Stoltenberg
3–6, 6–2, 4–6
Win5–4Oct 1990 Lyon, FranceCarpet Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Galbraith Flag of the United States.svg Jim Grabb
Flag of the United States.svg David Pate
7–6, 6–4
Loss5–5Nov 1991 Paris, FranceCarpet Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Fitzgerald
Flag of Sweden.svg Anders Järryd
6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Loss5–6Jan 1992 Sydney Outdoor, AustraliaHard Flag of the United States.svg Scott Davis Flag of Spain.svg Sergio Casal
Flag of Spain.svg Emilio Sánchez
6–3, 1–6, 4–6
Loss5–7Jan 1992Australian Open, Melbourne Hard Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of Australia (converted).svg Todd Woodbridge
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Woodforde
4–6, 3–6, 4–6
Win6–7Apr 1992 Tokyo Outdoor, JapanHard Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Fitzgerald
Flag of Sweden.svg Anders Järryd
0–6, 7–5, 6–3
Win7–7Aug 1992 New Haven, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of the United States.svg Patrick McEnroe
Flag of the United States.svg Jared Palmer
7–6, 6–7, 6–2
Loss7–8Sep 1992 U.S. Open, New YorkHard Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of the United States.svg Jim Grabb
Flag of the United States.svg Richey Reneberg
6–3, 6–7, 3–6, 3–6
Loss7–9May 1993 Tampa, U.S.Clay Flag of the United States.svg Todd Martin Flag of the United States.svg Jared Palmer
Flag of the United States.svg Derrick Rostagno
3–6, 4–6
Loss7–10May 1997 Atlanta, U.S.Clay Flag of the United States.svg Scott Davis Flag of Sweden.svg Jonas Björkman
Flag of Sweden.svg Nicklas Kulti
2–6, 6–7
Win8–10May 1997 St. Poelten, AustriaClay Flag of the United States.svg Scott Melville Flag of the United States.svg Luke Jensen
Flag of the United States.svg Murphy Jensen
6–2, 7–6

Doubles performance timeline

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
Tournament 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Career SRCareer win–loss
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AANH 2R 2R 3R 2R SF F 2R 2R 2R 1R 2R AAAAAAAAA0 / 1118–11
French Open AAAAAA 2R A 1R A 1R 2R 2R 1R AAAAAAAAA0 / 63–6
Wimbledon AA 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R 2R 3R 1R A 2R 1R 1R AAAAAAAAA0 / 114–11
U.S. Open 2R 1R 3R 1R 1R 1R SF 2R F 3R 3R QF 2R 1R AAAAAAAAA0 / 1421–14
Grand Slam SR0 / 10 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 30 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 30 / 40 / 40 / 40 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 42N/A
Annual win–loss1–10–12–21–31–32–36–46–312–43–33–36–42–41–40–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0N/A46–42
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells These Tournaments Were Not

Masters Series Events

Before 1990
QFSF1R1RAA1RSFAAAAAAAAA0 / 68–6
Miami 3R2R2R2RA2R2R2RAAAAAAAAA0 / 73–7
Monte Carlo AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 00–0
Rome AA1RAAA2RAAAAAAAAAA0 / 21–2
Hamburg AA2RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 10–1
Canada 2RASF1RA1R2R2RAAAAAAAAA0 / 65–5
Cincinnati AA2R1RAA2RAAAAAAAAAA0 / 31–3
Stuttgart (Stockholm) QFQFQFAAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 34–3
Paris 2RF2RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 35–3
Masters Series SRN/A0 / 50 / 40 / 80 / 40 / 00 / 20 / 50 / 30 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 31N/A
Annual win–lossN/A6–59–43–80–40–01–24–44–30–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0N/A27–30
Year-end ranking252304946465135223751301388790731466712967624N/A

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Cash</span> Australian tennis player

Patrick Hart Cash is an Australian former professional tennis player and coach. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 4 in May 1988 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of world No. 6 in August 1988. Upon winning the 1987 singles title at Wimbledon, Cash climbed into the stands to celebrate, starting a tradition that has continued ever since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 ATP Tour</span> Mens tennis circuit

This is a list of the tournaments played in the 2005 season of Men's tennis, including ATP events and ITF events. Changes were made to match format during this season. The third set of doubles matches was no longer played as a traditional set. Instead it was played as a match tie break first to 10 and clear by 2, to decide the winner.

Petr Korda is a Czech former professional tennis player. He won the 1998 Australian Open and was runner-up at the 1992 French Open, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 in February 1998. Korda tested positive for doping in July 1998 at Wimbledon, and was banned from September 1999 for 12 months, but he retired shortly before the ban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Wheaton</span> American author, radio host, columnist, and former tennis player

David Wheaton is an American author, radio host, columnist, and former professional tennis player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anders Järryd</span> Swedish tennis player

Anders Per Järryd is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. During his career he won eight Grand Slam doubles titles, reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Bates (tennis)</span> British tennis player (born 1962)

Michael Jeremy Bates is a British former professional tennis player. He was ranked UK number 1 in 1987 and from 1989 to 1994. He reached a career-high ATP world ranking of 54 from 17 April 1995 to 23 April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Knowles</span> Bahamian tennis player

Mark Knowles is a Bahamian former professional tennis player and coach. He is a former world No. 1 in doubles. He won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in men's doubles, partnering with Daniel Nestor, as well as Wimbledon in mixed doubles. At various times between 2002 and 2005 he was ranked World No. 1 in doubles. He is a five-time Olympian.

Danie Visser is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. A doubles specialist, he won three Grand Slam men's doubles titles. Visser reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking in January 1990.

Tami Whitlinger-Jones is a former professional tennis player from the United States.

Nicklas Kulti is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. He was born in Stockholm.

Jonathan Stark is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During his career he won two Grand Slam doubles titles. Stark reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolas Mahut</span> French tennis player

Nicolas Pierre Armand Mahut is a French professional tennis player who is a former world No. 1 in doubles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dušan Vemić</span> Serbian tennis player and coach

Dušan Vemić is a Serbian tennis coach and former professional tennis player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Monroe</span> American tennis player

Benjamin Nicholas Monroe is an American former professional tennis player. Monroe was a doubles specialist. He reached a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 30 on 2 October 2017 and won four ATP Tour doubles titles and thirteen ATP Challenger Tour titles in his career.

Meredith McGrath is a former professional tennis player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Dodig</span> Croatian tennis player

Ivan Dodig is a Croatian professional tennis player who specialises in doubles. He reached his career-high doubles ranking of world No. 2 in September 2023. He is a seven-time Grand Slam champion, having won men's doubles titles at the 2015 French Open with Marcelo Melo, the 2021 Australian Open with Filip Polášek and the 2023 French Open with Austin Krajicek.

Patrik Fredriksson is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. He was ranked 84 ATP ranking in singles as his best .He has won 7 professional singles titles and 1 doubles title on the tour. He stopped playing professionally 2001. Between 2002 and 2004 he was the Davis Cup coach and head coach for the national tennis team in Kuwait. Kuwait reached group 1 in Davis cup

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Polmans</span> Australian tennis player (born 1997)

Marc David Polmans is a South African-born Australian professional tennis player. Polmans has a career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 116 achieved on 12 October 2020. He also has a career high ATP doubles ranking of World No. 68 achieved on 16 October 2017. He won the 2015 Australian Open boys' doubles title with fellow Australian Jake Delaney, defeating Hubert Hurkacz and Alex Molčan in the final. He reached the semifinal of the 2017 Australian Open doubles with Andrew Whittington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Purcell</span> Australian tennis player (born 1998)

Max Purcell is an Australian professional tennis player. He reached his career-high singles ranking of world No. 40 on 16 October 2023 and a doubles ranking of No. 25 on April 2022. He is currently the No. 3 Australian singles player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuno Borges (tennis)</span> Portuguese tennis player

Nuno Borges is a Portuguese professional tennis player. Borges has a career high ATP singles ranking of world No. 42 achieved on 22 July 2024 and a doubles ranking of No. 69 achieved on 19 September 2022. He is currently the No.1 ranked Portuguese player.