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Andrew McNicol

Coleman Wong Chak-lam said he was “in dreamland” after clinching his second junior grand slam title in front of a rapturous Hong Kong crowd at the Australian Open boys’ doubles final on Friday.
The 17-year-old proved too powerful alongside American partner Bruno Kuzuhara as they dispatched Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo at the Margaret Court Arena 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Wong Chak Lam Coleman 黃澤林 (@coleman_wong)



“Can I speak in Cantonese?” a beaming Wong said after thanking tournament umpires and organising staff in English at the championship presentation ceremony.
“Thanks to all the Hong Kong fans here, and those watching me from back home this week, and those who continue to support me – you know who you are, mum and dad. Thank you everyone.

Welcome to #AO2022 title town!

Bruno Kuzuhara and Coleman Wong clinch the Junior Boys' Doubles 🏆 with a 6-3 7-6(3) victory over Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.

#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3PE4C9LDQV
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022

“I hadn’t played for one year and two months so I’m very happy to win my second grand slam. The first was in the US, now it’s in Australia, it’s just unbelievable.”
Speaking to local media via video call post-win, Wong explained he had already prepared to speak his native dialect having witnessed the sheer number of fans supporting him through the week.

“The first [grand slam] win I was already dreaming, but to win a second in front of so many Hong Kong people in the stands, and back home, I’m in dreamland,” he said.
“I’m so thankful – I’ve never played in such a big stadium before and I saw all the Hong Kong flags with all the people telling me to add oil at each game.
“Because I knew [the final] would be in a big venue with lots of Hong Kong fans, I already thought about using Cantonese to thank them the night before. I had to thank them earnestly because I know they are busy, yet they still find the time to watch me in-person or from work or school. We speak Cantonese first and foremost, so I wanted to show them how grateful I was.”

Hinting that he would be testing himself in the senior circuit sooner rather than later, and reasserting his preference for the singles game despite his recent doubles haul, Wong then wished Hong Kong fans a happy Lunar New Year.
“I will likely be competing so might not have time to celebrate, but I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. Since it's the year of the tiger, I hope everyone keeps as active as a tiger this year,” he said, adding that his resolutions were to break into the senior top 300 and qualify for the next Australian Open senior entry.
“I hope this pandemic goes away soon too, because it’s not been the most happy time for Hong Kong, but I’m happy that this win will give some happiness. And remember to keep smiling, like me.”

Winning the first point in less than a minute, Wong’s reliable power serves and Kuzuhara’s crafty net movements allowed them to take an early lead against their towering opponents. The turning point came after taking a big break point to go 3-1 up, with Wong helping to widen the lead with crucial aces.
Wong’s power appeared even more evident in the second as he and Kuzuhara continued to blitz the unseeded pair. Losing a break point after being up 40-15 was simply too painful for Michelsen, who looked increasingly dejected as junior world No 5 Paraguayan Vallejo tried to cushion the damage.
But the tide turned just as Wong and Kuzuhara looked to be running away with the title, and Michelsen and Vallejo valiantly clawed back with three big points to take a 6-5 lead. Wong and Kuzuhara were forced to go to a tiebreak but quickly took control to win their maiden doubles title together.

The pair were brimming with confidence going into the final after improving their “chemistry” through the week, with the Hongkonger rushing to coach James Allemby after their win.
Receiving a big cheer when approaching the microphone, Kuzuhara added: “It was great playing with Coleman and to all the Hong Kong fans tonight, thanks for your support. Congrats to Alex and Dani, it’s always tough to lose in the final – I’ve been on both ends of this – but we’ll see each other a lot more.
“Thank you Coleman, your serves broke me out of so much trouble. Thanks everyone for supporting me. I have one more day tomorrow, but thanks to the organisation, it’s always amazing to play in the grand slam here.”

The champions had convincingly beaten third seeds Gabriel Debru and Kilian Feldbausch in the semi-final the previous day.
Wong made history for Hong Kong after becoming the first player to win a boys’ grand slam at the US Open last year. He spent the past two months training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, where he impressed at the J1 Traralgon tournament on the ITF junior circuit.
He had a truncated singles campaign in Australia, losing in the third round, but found an improved “chemistry” with each doubles game playing with tournament favourite Kuzuhara.
Kuzuhara, who he has previously competed against both in the singles and doubles events, is still in contention for the singles title. The No 1 seed is against Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic on Saturday after beating Paraguayan Vallejo in the semis ahead of their doubles final.
Jonas Forejtek and Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic won the last iteration in 2019, with last year’s cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Former Hong Kong women’s star Patricia Hy was the city’s first tennis player to win a grand slam title of any discipline after clinching the Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles in 1983.


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Australian Open

Australian Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong claims second junior grand slam title, wins boys doubles with partner Bruno Kuzuhara

Hong Kong tennis player Coleman Wong (left) with Bruno Kuzuhara after winning the Australian Open Junior Championships boys’ doubles final event in Melbourne. Photo: @arckphoto   

Coleman Wong proudly displays the Hong Kong flag after winning the Australian Open boys doubles crown in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Handout 

Hong Kong tennis player Coleman Wong (left) with Bruno Kuzuhara after winning the Australian Open Junior Championships boys’ doubles final event in Melbourne. Photo: @arckphoto

Hong Kong representative tennis player Coleman Wong Chak-lam at the 2022 Australian Open Junior Championships boys’ singles event in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: ArcK Images 

Coleman Wong with boys’ doubles partner Bruno Kuzuhara.

Hong Kong tennis player Coleman Wong (left) with Bruno Kuzuhara after winning the Australian Open Junior Championships boys’ doubles final event in Melbourne. Photo: @arckphoto 

Who is Coleman Wong, the Hong Kong tennis phenom with two junior grand slams, Rafael Nadal’s backing, and world No 1 dreams?

Hong Kong tennis player Coleman Wong at the Road to Wimbledon event at Victoria Park in Hong Kong in 2017. Photo: Handout 

Coleman Wong Chak-lam of Hong Kong and US partner Max Westphal celebrate winning the boys’ doubles title at the US Open in New York. Photo: arckphoto/arckimages.com 

Rafael Nadal and his coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, of Spain in a practice session event at the Olympic Tennis Center ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Photo: AFP 

Coleman Wong at a press conference at a Hong Kong Tennis Association event in 2018. Photo: Handout 

Coleman Wong with former coach and Hong Kong women’s No 1 Tong Ka-po after winning in a junior tournament. Photo: Handout 

Australian Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong storms into junior boys’ doubles final, says it’s an honour to represent city

Coleman Wong and Bruno Kuzuhara find form to reach the junior boys’ doubles finals. Photo: HKTA / ArcK Photo

Australian Open: Rafael Nadal battles into final in Melbourne, chasing record 21st grand slam

Rafael Nadal Spain returns to Matteo Berrettini in Melbourne. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australian Open: Coleman Wong bows out of boys’ singles, but holds on for a spot in the doubles semi-finals

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong (right) after finishing his match in the Australian Open boys’ singles tournament. Photo: HKTA / ArcK Photo

Coleman Wong in action during in the Australian Open boys’ doubles tournament in Melbourne. Photo: Hong Kong Tennis Association / ArcK Photo  

Australian Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong mounts epic fight back to advance in men’s junior doubles as Zhang Shuai keeps China’s Australian Open dream alive

Zhang Shuai  and John Peers celebrate during the mixed doubles first round match at the Australian Open. Photo: Xinhua

Danielle Collins reacts after defeating Elise Mertens during their fourth round clash at the Australian Open. Photo: AP

Sport

Hong Kong

Tennis


Pair beat Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 in Melbourne
‘To win a second in front of so many Hong Kong people in the stands, and back home, I’m in dreamland’, says Wong, who won the US Open boys’ doubles last year



Coleman Wong wins second junior grand slam title after he and partner Bruno Kuzuhara beat Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, in Melbourne.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Hong Kong Tennis Association (HKTA)

Australian Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong claims second junior grand slam title, wins boys doubles with partner Bruno Kuzuhara

Pair beat Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 in Melbourne ‘To win a second in front of so many Hong Kong people in the stands, and back home, I’m in dreamland’, says Wong, who won the US Open boys’ doubles last year

Pair beat Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 in Melbourne

‘To win a second in front of so many Hong Kong people in the stands, and back home, I’m in dreamland’, says Wong, who won the US Open boys’ doubles last year