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Shirley Chui

Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam believes he will need to build a grand slam physique if he is to compete on the men’s tour this season.
Fresh off the back of a Davis Cup defeat to Taiwan’s Wu Tung-lin, Wong heads to Vietnam to play in next week’s ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour event.
And with his sights set on a career in the game, Wong will return to his base at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain after the tournament to work on his overall development.
“I think the biggest difference between myself and the top players in the world is my physique,” he said. “I’m not as strong as them, and my body is still developing at my age.
“Perhaps, I can train up more on the physical side, get bigger and stronger to compete with them.”

The 18-year-old has certainly experienced the difference between junior and men’s tennis over the past two weeks, and the physical demands that brings.
On Sunday, he lost to Wu in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, in their team’s Davis Cup Group II clash having only finished a marathon doubles match 30 minutes before. Wu, ranked 185th in the world, was too strong for Wong, who is ranked No 1,032.
Wong had begun the weekend with a win over Jason Jung in the opening singles, beating the world 449th in three sets.
Nine days earlier, the Hongkonger had been knocked out of the junior US Open in the semi-finals, again losing in three sets, this time to Belgium’s Gilles Arnaud Bailly.
“I found that I improved a lot psychologically in the Davis Cup,” Wong said. “When I was in the tie breaker with Jason Jung, I had the courage to fight and play my best, however in the US Open semis, I was more worried and could not relax, so I played extremely tightly and failed to perform myself.”
‘Pros don’t give chances, you need to earn it,’ says Wong before senior debut
But it was the defeat to Wu, who is ranked almost 900 places higher, that finally showed Wong what he would need to reach a grand slam at the senior level.
“Though I was not 100 per cent ready to battle Wu, even if I had been, I don’t think I could have won,” Wong said. “Wu appeared immaculate on the court, his strokes were so firm that I could not find a way to break him.
“He not only played solidly, but he also has his own weapon, whether it’s his forehand or backhand, he played it so consistently. I hope I can develop my weapon as well, but first and foremost, I need to improve my physique.”
Following Hong Kong’s 3-1 defeat to Taiwan, the team will compete in the Group II play-off next year to avoid demotion to Group III.
“It’s always disappointing when I lose a match, whether it’s the US Open juniors or the Davis Cup, but I’m fortunate to have so many matches to play every week to help me progress,” Wong said.


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ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong targets grand slam level of fitness, as he eyes future on men’s tour

Coleman Wong takes a break during the Davis Cup last weekend in Taipei. Photo: Hong Kong Tennis Association

Coleman Wong made it all the way to the semi-finals of the US Open junior singles tournament. Photo: ArcK Images

Davis Cup: Coleman Wong unable to save day vs Taiwan after Hong Kong blow 3 match points in doubles

Coleman Wong Chak-lam was unable to haul Hong Kong back into the tie against Taiwan. Photo: ArcK Images

Davis Cup: Coleman Wong conjures a shock to give Hong Kong glimpse of upset

Coleman Wong again showed how rapidly he has progressed in recent months. Photo: AFP

Davis Cup: Coleman Wong says Hong Kong have ‘fire in our hearts’ to beat Chinese Taipei

Coleman Wong made history for Hong Kong at the 2022 US Open after reaching the semi-finals. Photo: ArcK Images

Hong Kong’s Davis Cup squad are in Taipei preparing for this weekend’s tie. Photo: Hong Kong Tennis Association

Davis Cup: Coleman Wong joins men’s tour and admits ‘pros don’t give chances, you need to earn it’

Coleman Wong signed off from the juniors in style at the US Open, reaching the semi-finals. Photo: ArcK Images

Coleman Wong plays a shot during the 2022 US Open. Photo: ArcK Images

Sport

Hong Kong

Tennis

Fresh from competing in Davis Cup tie against Taiwan, Wong heads to Vietnam for ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour event
Teenager says he lacks strength to compete against some players ranked higher in the world


Hong Kong teen says he lacks strength to compete against some players ranked higher in the world.


Coleman Wong Chak-lam

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong targets grand slam level of fitness, as he eyes future on men’s tour

Fresh from competing in Davis Cup tie against Taiwan, Wong heads to Vietnam for ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour event Teenager says he lacks strength to compete against some players ranked higher in the world

Fresh from competing in Davis Cup tie against Taiwan, Wong heads to Vietnam for ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour event

Teenager says he lacks strength to compete against some players ranked higher in the world