ATP Tour

What's it like to earn your first US Open win?

When you're a card-carrying veteran of the professional tennis tour, a first-round victory at the US Open is often more expected than appreciated. A task that must be accomplished; a step along the way to a higher goal. See Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.

But even the biggest stars at the 2025 US Open had to start somewhere.

This year's first-time winners are often too preoccupied with their emotions to think about something as outlandish as actually winning the title, but thanks to legendary runs like Emma Raducanu’s in 2021, they can dream.

Coleman Wong, who defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic Day 2 to become the first man from Hong Kong to ever win a match at a major, is one of them.

“I’m trying to come down a little bit, but it’s a big moment for me, and also for my family and for Hong Kong people,” said the 21-year-old, who qualified for the main draw, like Raducanu did four years ago. “For me, I just want to keep going. I’ve been playing four matches already on these courts and I have had amazing support from the fans.”

Wong, the No. 173 in the PIF ATP Rankings with 15 career wins to his name, admits that he doesn’t have the highest expectations–yet.

“To be honest, it’s not easy,” he said. “Everyone has their ups and downs, especially tennis players. I don’t know when I’m going to break through [and go deep in a tournament], I don’t know when I’m going to win, because mostly I lose. I just need to keep believing.”

Czechia’s Jakub Mensik got his first US Open win three years ago, and went on to become the youngest player to reach the third round in 33 years. He was 17 at the time. Now nearly 20, he gives sage advice to young talents that take the courts in Queens for their first main draw appearance.

Stay true to yourself, he says.

“Being in the locker room and seeing everyone, at the time you try to maybe be something more than you are,” he told USOpen.org. “I would probably tell them to just be yourself and focus mainly on yourself. Maybe you will see other players doing something different, you can take something from them, but actually keep your routine, stay as you are.”

Wong, who trains at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain, summed up the gravity of his excitement with an eye to the future.

“This is where I want to be,” he said. “I thought about this so many times when I was young, watching Rafa battling. This tournament is a tennis player's dream, and it is for me as well. I just want to keep going and see what I can do here.”

Read the full story at usopen.org.