Private practice key to Jones' new-found success

Newly-crowned British Open champion Jak Jones believes a change in his practice routine is behind his good form in 2026.

Having turned professional in 2010, the 33-year-old from Cwmbran ended a 16-year wait for a first ranking title in July this year, following it up with an even bigger second success just two months later when he beat four-time world champion Mark Selby 10-6 in the British Open final.

Jones puts the success down to a change of training base.

"I changed my practice facility during the summer, which I've needed to do for quite a few years, and I think it's been a difference so far," Jones told Radio Wales Breakfast.

"My practice is a lot better, I concentrate a lot more, I think it's made a difference in tournaments as well.

"I used to play in a club. Although it was a really nice club, it's basically a table just in a club with loads of other tables in there, whereas now I've got my own private room so I'm just in there on my own."

Jones won his first ranking title with victory at the 2026 Championship League in July, having previously come close when losing to Kyren Wilson in the final at the 2024 World Championship.

Jones' latest success in Cheltenham sees him rise nine places from 31st to 22nd in the world snooker rankings.

The victory over Selby also brought him a £100,000 cheque and the undoubted highlight of his career so far.

"Definitely yeah, I obviously got to the world final a couple of years ago which was good, but winning a tournament is definitely better than coming runner-up in any tournament," he said.

"I won a minor ranking event earlier in the season, so yes to win a big tournament like this in front of a big crowd was amazing for me and my family.

"Especially to beat someone like Mark Selby in the final as well, it was kind of like unexpected in some ways, beating Judd [Trump] in the semi-final as well, so yeah I guess I did it the hard way."

Jones, however, is not getting carried away with his success, keeping his feet firmly on the ground and his eyes on his new table when asked 'what's next?'.

"I just try to climb the rankings really as high as I can and win another tournament, I suppose that's all I can do."