Hongkonger Makes into the Main Draw at US Open

Wong is the first Hongkonger in the main draw at US Open

When the US Open starts this weekend, it will be very interesting to watch, not just the debut of Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko, fresh off her win at the National Bank Open in Montreal, but also the first Hongkonger to reach the main draw of the American tennis tournament.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam, 21, beat Brit Billy Harris 6-3, 6-4 to qualify for the US Open.

"At the moment I don't know what I'm thinking," Wong said immediately after his historic win. "It was tough last night. I didn't sleep the best knowing how close I was.

Wong (left) won US Open boys doubles in 2021

"I know I have the level, and I know I just need to be calm and to play my game. I'm in the main draw and I want to go for more."

In the first round Wong may encounter the likes of Jack Draper, Ben Shelton, or Andrey Rublev in the first round that starts on Sunday.

It won't be Wong's first rodeo, as he won the boys' doubles championship in 2021. 

Nevertheless, according to the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Ip Koon Hung was the last player from Hong Kong to compete in the main draw of the men's singles at the US Open back in 1947.

Ip and another man, Edward Tsai both representing Hong Kong have ever reached a tennis major in the Open era -- most recently in 1954.

Ip was the first when he played at Wimbledon in 1951, and did it again the following year.

Meanwhile Tsai managed to reach the second round in 1953 and 1954, the last time a Hongkonger appeared at a slam.