Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)
Coleman Wong Chak-lam does not believe in hopeless situations. Even if he is a point away from defeat, the 21-year-old Hong Kong tennis star still thinks he can claw his way back.
Against the odds, Wong became the first Hongkonger to reach the third round of the US Open in August. The tournament is one of the four grand slam tournaments of the year, the most important tennis championships in the world.
“People overseas often think they can dominate tennis, but I want to show them Hong Kong can also produce excellent athletes,” the 21-year-old said.
Never give up
Wong describes himself as “a happy person” who also enjoys his life when he is not playing tennis.
“Because tennis is actually very tiring,” he said, “I just want to relax and do the kinds of things that ordinary people do.”
But once he steps onto the court, nothing is over until the very last point.
“I don’t want to lose,” he said.
One match he will never forget was at the 2023 Asian Games, when he fought back from the edge of elimination: winning seven points in a row and overturning what seemed like certain defeat.
“This match proved to me what I had always believed: that I could still come back,” he said.
For Wong, that spirit is important.
“It shows that as long as you don’t give up, there’s always still a chance,” he said.
Back Hong Kong’s athletic dreams
Wong believes that Hong Kong athletes need more support – not just when they clinch medals.
“Being an athlete in Hong Kong is not easy, whether it’s tennis or any other sport. Support shouldn’t only come when people watch the Olympics,” he said.
It was not easy for Wong when he first started his tennis career because he had no role models in Hong Kong.
“I didn’t have another player to follow, so I went overseas to train,” he said. “There, I was surrounded by top-100 players, and they helped me a lot.”
Wong believes parents should also help raise the next generation of athletes, and he encouraged parents to allow their children to explore their interests beyond what they learn in school.
Wong started pursuing his dream while he was studying at Diocesan Boys’ School.
“For me, it’s been my dream since I was young. I fell in love with tennis just from watching it on TV,” shared Wong, who won the Sportsperson category at the 2021/22 Student of the Year Awards.
“Some parents may think their kids should just go to university or avoid professional sports because they might not make it. But if a child really wants to, they should be given the chance.”
