Subsequent Gen Influences
My Influences: Wong on first assembly with 15-year-old Alcaraz
This 12 months, 20-year-old turned first Hong Kong participant to win ATP Tour match since 1972
October 31, 2024
Getty Photos/ATP Tour
By Sam Jacot
Coleman Wong made historical past earlier this season when he turned the primary participant from Hong Kong since 1972 to win an ATP essential draw match. The 20-year-old superior to the second spherical on the ATP 250 in Hangzhou, gaining valuable factors in his quest to compete on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF.
Presently ninth within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah, Wong will goal to complete the season robust and comply with within the footsteps of earlier champions who’ve competed on the 20-and-under occasion.
As a part of our Subsequent Gen Influences collection, Wong caught up with ATPTour.com to speak about his first assembly with Carlos Alcaraz, his admiration for Jannik Sinner and his Jeddah objectives.
Which former Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF champion did you take pleasure in watching most when rising up?
I loved watching Carlos Alcaraz probably the most. I like watching Alcaraz play due to his recreation and his footwork. That [is how] I wish to be sooner or later.
Who out of the previous champions is your greatest idol and do you bear in mind your first encounter with them?
I believe it might be Carlos as a result of I bear in mind taking part in him on the junior Davis Cup once we had been younger. It was the primary ever clay match of my life and I used to be going through Carlos, [who won]. It was fairly an expertise.
Which former Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF champion do you most determine with?
I determine most with Jannik Sinner due to his timing his footwork and resolution making.Â
Learn Extra
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My Influences: Quinn on ‘grounded’ Sinner & Paul’s mentorship
Who’ve been your greatest different influences in your life?
I might say my sister and my cousin have been large influences. They at all times attempt to assist me with issues they usually at all times be there for me it doesn’t matter what.
What have you ever discovered this previous 12 months on Tour?
I discovered that everybody on Tour has their specialties and I’m actually proud to be one of many gamers on Tour.
What kind of attributes do you search for when bringing individuals into your group?
I might clearly search for individuals who might help me. I believe it’s most essential that we get alongside nicely as a result of we have to journey lots of weeks collectively in a 12 months.
Many of the present Prime 20 within the PIF ATP Rankings performed on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF. How inspiring is that to see?
I actually hope that I could make it to Subsequent Gen Finals as a result of it’s my purpose and seeing a lot of the gamers that performed Subsequent Gen Finals earlier than make it to the Prime 20 or Prime 10 means lots to me. I actually wish to be one in all them.