The 2025 Miami Open is proving to be a haven for upsets, and the list of giant-killers is growing. Following the shock defeats of Carlos Alcaraz and Madison Keys at the hands of David Goffin and Alexandra Eala respectively, another name has been added to the list: Coleman Wong. Joining fellow Rafa Nadal Academy trainee Eala in causing a stir, the Hong Kong native stunned 13th seed Ben Shelton in a captivating second-round encounter, edging out the American 7-6(3), 2-6, 7-6(5). But the path that led Wong to this moment was far from conventional…

Coleman Wong was five years old when his older sister by two years, Elana, was scheduled for a private lesson at Victoria Park, home of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open. She fell ill, and their parents, Bruce and Dora, didn’t want the session to go to waste. So, they sent her brother in her place. And wouldn’t you believe it…

The 20-year-old gradually took a liking to the racquet sport. “I really liked it,” Wong told ATPTour.com. “I was a bit out of shape, I was a bit chubby, and at first, it was just for keeping fit. Then, slowly, I grew.”

In fact, the Hong Kong native had no familiarity with tennis. No one in his family has a sporting history. His parents are both in the education industry, with his father being a school principal and his mother being a teacher. His sister chose the banking industry to build her profession, making Wong the eccentric one!

Fifteen years later, Wong is competing at the Miami Open. Before Shelton, he beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3 in the R128. “It feels unreal. This year I’ve been struggling a little bit, playing tougher tournaments. That’s why I’m not winning a lot,” Wong said. “Maybe sometimes I win a round and then I lose second round, playing some really good players. But I’m really happy to get one of my biggest wins in my career. For me, it means a lot, and I really hope it’s the first of many.”

Interesting fact: Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, also picked up the racquet coincidentally. In the 1990s, the Serbian star’s parents opened a Red Bull, the pizza-and-pancakes place, and a sports equipment shop in Kopaonik. And as fate would have it, three tennis courts were built across the shop. While Djokovic’s parents were unfamiliar with tennis, he found a mentor in former Serbian tennis player Jelena Gencic. And now we have a tennis legend among us.

From a last-minute replacement to taking down top-ranked players, Wong’s journey is also just getting started. And his stunning achievements even caught the eye of Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal “proud” of pupil Coleman Wong’s feat at the Miami Open

At 17, Wong took the initiative, discussing his ambitions with his parents and concluding that a move to the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Spain was essential for him to pursue a professional tennis career. “They didn’t have any picture of it, and they let me go. I really, I really need to thank them as well. It’s a big sacrifice, because I don’t see them at all. I probably see them a few times a year,” Wong said in the same ATP Tour interview.

Now 20, the Hong Konger has spent four years training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. He has even practiced with the Spanish legend on several occasions. One moment stands out—though it wasn’t in Mallorca.

When Nadal last won the Australian Open in 2022, Wong captured the boys’ doubles title with Bruno Kuzuhara, defeating Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the final. The two had a chat on the practice court. “He(Rafael Nadal) congratulated me. We have a picture together, holding the trophy, my doubles,” Wong recalled. “He said, ‘You’re in the right path, because we have one of the best coaches,’ and I believed him.”

That path led the World No.182 to stun the tennis world with his victory over Shelton. Overwhelmed with emotion after becoming the first player from Hong Kong to win an ATP Masters 1000 match, Wong dedicated his hard-fought 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 victory on Court 1 to his hometown, declaring, ‘this is for you Hong Kong.’ His triumph even caught the attention of Nadal. “There is a lot of effort behind these victories. We are very proud of you, Coleman!” Nadal wrote on X. “A historic win for Hong Kong.”

Wong was overwhelmed by the praise. “I’m a pretty emotional guy, so I’m really happy that he knows that I’m doing pretty well. Thank you. Thank you, Rafa,” he said.

Up next, Coleman Wong faces Australian Adam Walton in the third round on Monday. Can he keep the magic going?