A tennis pro’s fitness work and recovery explained by Hong Kong men’s No 1 Coleman Wong

Rising star Coleman Wong shares the strategies that help him climb the pro tennis ranks, from goal setting to gym work and ice baths

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Hong Kong men’s tennis No 1 Coleman Wong works out in the gym most days to to build strength. Photo: Instagram.com/coleman_wong

Published: 7:15am, 8 Aug 2024Updated: 10:02am, 10 Aug 2024

Coleman Wong Chak-lam has had a meteoric rise on the global tennis circuit in 2024. The 20-year-old from Hong Kong, ranked 171st by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) as of August 5 – up from 477th in October 2023 – has become the city’s highest-ranked male tennis player.

In May, he made his major championship qualifying debut at the French Open. In June, he became the first player from Hong Kong to play in the qualifying competition for Wimbledon since the 1950s.

“It feels great,” he says, even though he was defeated in the first round of qualifying at both tournaments, and did not end up qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Previously a junior doubles champion at the 2021 US Open and 2022 Australian Open, Wong says there is not much difference in level of performance between male players whatever their ranking.

“For adults, everyone can qualify for the main draw, so [I feel] very honoured and grateful to be there, because I know that I’m [among] the top players in the world,” he says.

Coleman Wong in action during the Davis Cup World Group II play-offs at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, in February 2024. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

“To have the chance to compete with them, it means a lot to me, especially coming from Hong Kong, going from [playing] in Victoria Park to international tournaments.”