Rafael Nadal Academy player Coleman Wong makes history, becomes first player ever from Hong Kong to reach main draw of Masters 1000 event

Coleman Wong, who trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy, has become the first ever player from Hong Kong to qualify for an ATP Masters 1000 event. He did so by making it to the main draw of the 2024 Miami Open, beating India's Sumit Nagal 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the final round of qualifying on March 19.

Wong has been the flagbearer for men's tennis in Hong Kong since his junior days. He first made waves on the doubles circuit, teaming up with Max Westphal of France to win the Junior US Open Boys doubles title in 2021. Wong followed that up by winning the Australian Open in 2022, partnering Bruno Kujuhara of the USA.

In doing so, he became the first player to win consecutive Slam titles at the junior level since Hsu Yu-hsiou in 2017.

Wong has also enjoyed great results in singles in recent years. He even made it to the semi-finals of the boy's singles event at the 2022 US Open.

The Rafael Nadal Academy congratulated Coleman Wong for his brilliant performance in the Miami Open qualifying via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"MAKING HISTORY! RNA Player Coleman Wong defeats Sumit Nagal 3-6, 6-1, 6-5 at the Miami Open and will become the first player from Hong Kong ever to qualify for an ATP Tour Masters 1000 tournament! We are so proud of you! VAMOS," they wrote.

The Rafael Nadal Academy, founded by 22-time Slam champion Nadal, has been a powerhouse training facility for tennis players since 2016. The likes of Casper Ruud and Jaume Munar have graduated from the academy.

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"He told me I need to trust myself" - Coleman Wong on his conversation with Rafael Nadal

2022 US Open - Day 12

After winning the junior men's doubles title at the 2022 US Open, Wong decided to join a training facility to hone his skills as he did not have a full-time coach. He chose the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, which has been widely praised for its facilities with respect to sports nutrition and psychology.

Wong even got a chance to speak with Nadal in November last year, after a practice session. Coleman Wong recounted the conversation, saying (as quoted by the South China Morning Post):

"He asked how I did and told me that I need to trust myself, believe, and the results will come automatically."

Nadal, meanwhile, hasn't featured on the ATP tour since the Brisbane International, where he lost to Australia's Jordan Thompson. He is expected to make his comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters, which is slated to begin from April 6.