His brothers Hans Jacob and Thorgny were tennis players, both National Champions in double (with Johan).

[2] His brother, Reidar Haanes, became an acclaimed sports journalist, who also wrote the book ‘Store dager i norsk idrett’ (1952) and ‘Njårds historie’ Haanes won 39 National titles in tennis from 1932 to 1953.

[1] During the Norwegian Campaign in World War II Haanes participated in the battles of Bagn, Valdres.

Later during the German occupation of Norway he was active in the "sports front", and was twice arrested and incarcerated at the Grini concentration camp.

[1] In 1985 he won an unofficial title at the World Championships for veterans in Marbella.