Hong Kong tennis pros serve up a storm for charity, as budding star shines in annual event
- Host of local big hitters including Jack Wong and Maggie Ng were in the spotlight at Chinese Recreation Club Tennis Open 2022
- Organisers donated money for each of the 191 aces served to Operation Santa Claus and Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon
Hong Kong sports star Jack Wong Hong-kit was in unstoppable form as he retained his men’s singles title at the Chinese Recreation Club Tennis Open 2022 while joining the city’s other leading players in hitting 191 aces to raise nearly HK$50,000 (US$6,420) for charity.
Wong beat his regular doubles partner Kevin Wong Chun-Hun 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a repeat of last year’s final. But the duo failed to keep hold of the men’s doubles title after the reigning champions lost 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to Ng Hao-yuan and Lee Hsin-han.
However, Hong Kong’s Maggie Ng Man-ying took home two titles in the women’s competition. She beat Sviatlana Pirazhenka 6-2, 6-3 to win the singles crown before pairing up with the Belarusian to defeat Sher Chun-wing and Zhang Ling 6-3, 6-2 in the doubles final.
“We had a very strong field this year with more than 1,680 entries, including some of the city’s best players, such as Jack Wong, Kevin Wong, Maggie Ng and Dasson Chan,” Kenneth Lam, chairman of Chinese Recreation Club, Hong Kong (CRCHK), said.
The 74th edition of the event, which wrapped up last month, saw the players raise HK$47,750 after CRCHK’s donation of HK$250 to benefit local underprivileged people for every ace served during main-draw matches officiated by a chair umpire.
For the third year, the CRCHK shared the funds equally between the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon and Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
Hong Kong schoolboy Walter Tam Sin-hang also caught the eye at the tournament after winning three different titles: the 18 or under boys’ singles and doubles – partnering with Lam Chun-hei – and the 14 or under boys’ singles titles.
“Nurturing youth development has always been one of the CRCHK’s missions,” the club chairman said.
“This year, the entries in the 18 or under boys’ events, including singles and doubles, increased by 20 per cent compared with last year.
“It’s a clear sign that the CRC Open has become a critical platform for showcasing the talents of the city’s young tennis players.”
Tam’s success comes after another Hong Kong teenager, Coleman Wong Chak-lam made a name for himself on the international tour by winning his second boys’ doubles grand slam title at January’s Australian Open – following his historic first grand slam success at last year’s US Open.
Edmund Ho, chairman of the CRC Open tournament committee, said the event was known for encouraging Hong Kong’s youth to play tennis.
“The CRC Open is the only tournament that has 14 or under junior categories among the three major local tennis tournaments sanctioned by the Hong Kong Tennis Association,” he said.
This year was the third time the CRCHK had teamed up with OSC for the tournament, raising a total of more than HK$100,000 for charity so far, he said.
OSC is an annual fundraising initiative – celebrating its 35th anniversary this year – which is organised jointly by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
Since 1988, OSC has raised HK$353 million to support the Hong Kong community through 323 charitable projects. This year, 15 charitable projects of worthy causes will be receiving funds.
“OSC is a very meaningful charity campaign and has made tremendous contributions over the years,” Ho said. “OSC’s mission – of ‘bringing people together to brighten Hong Kong’s community’ – is shared by the CRCHK.
“The CRCHK and OSC have joined hands for many successful community and charity campaigns in the past years, such as tennis workshops for ethnic minority groups.”
