Coleman Wong encouraged to ‘use racquet to express values on court’ ahead of Miami Open

After taking a “step in the maturity process” during an epic week in the Dominican Republic, a battle-weary Coleman Wong Chak-lam is poised to return to the scene of one of the greatest victories of his young career.

Wong played five three-set matches in five days, spending nearly 12 hours on court, during his quarter-final run at the Copa Cap Cana tournament in Punta Cana last week; handsomely capitalising on a lucky loser spot in the main draw after he lost in the second round of qualifying.

The Hongkonger’s coach, James Allemby, said his charge “ran out of gas physically” towards the end of his last-eight defeat by Alexander Blockx on Saturday, but that he hoped Wong would “make the most of the match fitness he’s built” when he competes in the Miami Open next week.

“We had a chat with Coleman after he lost in qualifying and told him his superpower is his competitiveness and his attitude, not the tennis in itself,” Allemby said.

“We said to use the racquet to express his values on court, not let his values be dictated by the result or how he feels. His perception of the situation shifted and he competed very well.”

Wong also received a lucky loser reprieve in last month’s Mexican Open, but on that occasion he lost his first-round match against world No 26 Valentin Vacherot.

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