US Open: Coleman Wong happy to embrace moment, ready ‘to go all-in’ for Walton clash
Historical significance of victory not lost on Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong as he readies for second round in New York
The historical significance was not lost on Coleman Wong, even at 21 years old. The excitement of winning his first main draw singles match at a grand slam tournament was not just about him.
Wong knew full well that his first-round victory at the US Open on Monday made him the first men’s player from Hong Kong to win a grand slam singles match since the Open era began in 1968.
“It’s a big moment for me and also my family, Hong Kong people here and back at home,” Wong said. “It means a lot.”
Wong defeated American Aleksander Kovacevic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 7-6. After falling short in qualifying at Flushing Meadows, the Australian Open and twice apiece at Wimbledon and the French Open, he wanted to soak in the moment so much he had not even checked to read the text message he received from Rafael Nadal.
“I guess I need to reply to him soon,” Wong said.
Nadal is Wong’s idol but also now invested in his fledgling career because of a role the 22-time grand slam winner played in it. Wong’s family moved to Spain so he could train at the Rafa Nadal Academy, a springboard to this point that also sparked some friendships along the way.