Double glory as Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong wins both singles and doubles titles in Jakarta

Coleman Wong bites his gold medal after winning the boy’s singles title in Jakarta. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong tennis sensation Coleman Wong Chak-lam continued to move closer to his dream of one day playing in a grand slam after winning his latest junior tournament on Saturday.

The 15-year-old Diocesan Boys’ School student last December put his name in lights when he won the under-16 singles title at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl in Florida and he showed he had not lost his form as he won another tournament, this time in Jakarta, Indonesia at the JIF ITF international junior tournament.

Coleman Wong and Cooper White on the podium after the boy’s singles final. Photo: Handout

Down 5-4 in the first set, Wong showed his fighting qualities to defeat Australia’s heralded teenager, Cooper White, in the under-18 tournament. The Hong Kong No 1 junior eventually sealed victory after White retired while Wong was leading 2-1 in the second set. Wong had taken the first set 7-6 (7-1) and was delighted to have come back from 5-4 down to take the first set.

“I was in a bad situation in the first set but I kept calm and tried to rally,” said Wong, who is quickly becoming Hong Kong’s best men’s player. “I had never beaten Cooper before so it was nice to get a victory against him this time.”

Wong and White later combined to win the boy’s doubles title to make it a double for the Hong Kong teenager.

Coleman Wong and coach Tong Ka-po celebrate the two title victories in Jakarta. Photo: Handout

“Now I have to put my focus on my next tournament at the Shanghai J2 tournament next week. I hope I can maintain my form and try to give Hong Kong another good result,” he said.

Wong’s coach, the former Hong Kong professional player, Tong Ka-po, said she was proud of her charge. “I’m really satisfied with Coleman’s performance, especially in the first set when he refused to surrender. He kept his focus at the most critical moment and he was able to come back. We’re hoping that he continues to improve and move to a more advanced playing level.” she said.

The Jakarta tournament was an ITF Grade 4 level tournament. Grade A (super series that includes all the grand slam tournaments) is the highest level followed by Grade 1.

Coleman’s Jakarta tournament triumph will boost his confidence for this week’s Shanghai tournament, which is a Grade 2 event.