Coleman Wong, a 21-year-old tennis player from Hong Kong, is making waves at the US Open, etching his name in the history books. Wong achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first male player from Hong Kong to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era. He secured this victory by defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) after successfully navigating the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw.
Wong's journey to this momentous occasion began at the age of five on the public courts of Victoria Park in Hong Kong, where he initially filled in for his sister during a lesson. His talent and dedication led him to train at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin before making a significant move to Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca at the age of 17. This training at Nadal's academy has clearly been instrumental in his development.
Ranked 173rd in the world, Wong faced Kovacevic, who was ranked over 100 places higher. Despite the difference in rankings, Wong dominated the match with 38 winners and 22 aces, while limiting his unforced errors to 31, compared to his opponent's 47. Wong's victory marks the end of a 57-year drought for Hong Kong, as no male player from the region had won a Grand Slam singles match since 1968. He is also the first player from the city to win a singles main draw match at a Grand Slam since the Open era began in 1968.
The significance of his achievement wasn't lost on Wong, who acknowledged the importance of the moment for himself, his family, and the people of Hong Kong. He also received a congratulatory text from Rafael Nadal shortly after his victory. Wong's success has been shared with his close friend Alexandra Eala, who also trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, and recently became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match.
Prior to his US Open success, Wong has shown promise, including a win against Ben Shelton, who is currently seeded sixth, at the Miami Open Masters event earlier in the year. He has also achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 128 in September 2024, making him the highest-ranked male Hong Kong tennis player in history. Wong represents Hong Kong in the Davis Cup, with a strong record of 18 wins and 7 losses. In his junior career, he reached the semifinals in Boys' Singles at the 2022 US Open, the best result ever for a Hong Kong male tennis player in any Grand Slam tournament. He also captured two Grand Slam titles in boys' doubles.
Wong's historic win at the US Open is not just a personal triumph but also a significant moment for tennis in Hong Kong. His journey from Victoria Park's public courts to the international stage demonstrates his dedication, and his success serves as an inspiration for aspiring tennis players in Hong Kong and beyond. As he continues his run at the US Open, Wong carries the hopes of an entire tennis community that has waited decades for this moment.
