Against the odds, Coleman Wong Chak-lam became the first Hongkonger to reach the third round of the US Open. This is the last of the four grand slam tournaments, which are 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.
“It hasn’t been easy because I’ve had to compete against the top players from all around the world.”
For Wong, every match is a battle to prove that Hong Kong deserves a spot on the global tennis map.
“I feel it’s not just about me. Since I was young, I’ve represented Hong Kong in competitions around the world,” Wong explained.
“That means a lot to me, so I’m truly honoured to carry this city onto the international stage.”
Fighting until the end
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.
“This match proved to me what I had always believed: that I could still come back,” he said. “Even when I was down 1–6, in what felt like a hopeless state, I was able to turn it around.”
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.
Even his failures have fuelled his drive in tennis.
“I knew I would make mistakes and lose matches,” he said. “Eventually, by winning a few big tournaments, I was able to get to where I am now. So it’s really about self-belief.”
For the city’s future athletes
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 did not have any 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 hopes his successes – and failures – can help pave the way for the city’s future athletes.
“If more kids here want to follow my steps, I can share my experience so they make fewer mistakes,” he noted.
But Wong believes parents should also help raise the next generation of athletes. 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.”
