The Next Point: Wong Him on Tennis, Perspective, and Letting Go

At 13, Wong Him has already represented Hong Kong in the Junior Davis Cup and World Junior Tennis, but his journey started much closer to home

— with a dad who loved tennis and wanted to share it.

“My dad thinks it’s a fun and healthy sport, so he wanted to share something he truly enjoys with me and started teaching me how to play,” Wong Him says. He found it enjoyable early on, and as he got better, the challenge grew alongside the satisfaction of winning matches. “Combining the fun and the challenge, I gradually fell in love with the game.”

He fell for it quickly. “I think I’ve been lucky because I kept improving and started winning more matches. That sense of achievement has kept my passion alive all this time.”

I don’t see it as a sacrifice; being able to do what I love makes me feel fortunate.

What keeps him hooked now is the one-on-one battle — just him and an opponent on court, thinking on his feet and figuring things out. “Every match, win or lose, teaches me something new and helps me grow.” He also values the respect built into the sport. “Even when I lose, I can earn my opponent’s appreciation and respect, and that makes me love it even more.” And yes, hitting a difficult shot still makes him smile. “Whenever I hit a difficult or spectacular shot, that moment always brings a smile to my face.”

His daily routine is a study in logistics. Wong Him lives in Yuen Long. His mum drives him to school in Mong Kok before she goes to work, leaving home at 6:20 a.m. to arrive by 7:00 for breakfast. Classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., then it’s off to training in Sha Tin from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., where he also has dinner. He gets home around 9:30 p.m., starts homework at 10:30, and goes to bed before midnight. “It’s a tight schedule, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

He’s candid about what he misses — school extracurriculars, social gatherings — but he doesn’t frame it as a loss. “I don’t see it as a sacrifice; being able to do what I love makes me feel fortunate. As a part-time player and full-time student, I know it’s not easy to balance both, but since I enjoy both school and tennis, I’m willing to do my best and not give up on either side.”

When he travels for tournaments, the reality is less glamorous than it sounds. Long flights, adjusting to weather, time zones, unfamiliar environments, and different playing styles all add up. He’s careful with food to avoid stomach issues that could derail a competition. There’s also a quiet pressure that comes from knowing his parents work hard to make these trips possible. “Sometimes I feel pressure because of my family’s hard work, and I hope to repay them with good results.” His school, Diocesan Boys’ School, is strongly behind him. “The principal and teachers are very supportive of every student’s dreams. As long as I provide proof of compulsory tournaments, my leave is approved. For classes I miss during overseas trips, teachers help me catch up.” The principal, coaches, and teachers have even come to watch his matches and cheer him on.

Handling pressure on court comes somewhat naturally to him. “Maybe I’m naturally optimistic and positive — I’ve never taken wins or losses too seriously. I know that in every match, one person wins and the other loses. As long as I give my best, I’m fine with that.” In fact, he enjoys the weight of a tough opponent. “The right amount of pressure actually pushes me to improve.” When things get difficult, his mum is his anchor. “When she’s around, I usually perform better. She always claps to encourage me when I need support. Sometimes I look at her and she nods, as if she understands how I feel — that makes me feel much more at ease.”

Wong Him is careful not to call his early successes “achievements.” “I’m actually just a 13-year-old teenager — I wouldn’t call it an achievement. I’ve just been lucky to get some opportunities, and I’m willing to work hard for what I love.” He hopes other young people in Hong Kong can find something they’re passionate about, and not be afraid of difficulties. “Give it their best shot without worrying too much about rewards.” When younger players watch him, the message he wants them to carry away is about sportsmanship. “We fight hard on court, giving our all, but when the match ends, we respect our opponent and the game. Whether we win or lose, both sides deserve applause.”

Tennis has taught him perseverance, self-discipline, and respect — values he tries to live by off the court. But the lesson he returns to most is what he calls the “next point” mindset. “Lose a point, move on to the next; lose a match, train harder and win the next one.” It sounds simple, but he knows it’s not. “The ability to let go and start over is actually not easy at all.” He uses that same approach in everyday life — whether facing academic pressure, misunderstandings, or disappointments. “Tennis has taught me not to dwell on the frustration of losing a point, but to take a deep breath and focus on the next one. This mindset helps me adjust faster when facing challenges in life — I don’t let one fall ruin the whole match.”

This year brought an unexpected highlight. Originally named as a substitute for the Junior Davis Cup, he didn’t expect to play. “Just being there with the older guys and learning from them was already satisfying. But the day before the match, one of the starters got injured, so I had to step in with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude — and I ended up winning that match.” He calls it one of his most beautiful memories.

Asked about being called a rising star of Hong Kong tennis, he responds with genuine gratitude and clear-eyed perspective. “I feel truly honoured, and I’m very grateful to everyone I’ve met on this tennis journey — whether they’ve taught me, helped me, or encouraged me. But I know that success is still far away; I’m still at the beginning and have a lot of room for improvement. I hope to keep playing well and one day become a professional player and bring glory to Hong Kong. The road is not easy, and it requires a lot of resources and support from many sides. But I will do my best to prepare, step by step, and wait for my chance to come.”

Beyond rankings and trophies, tennis has shaped who he is. “Tennis has made me brave, persistent, and willing to endure hardship. It has taught me to face and accept failure. It has shown me that life is not just about winning or losing, but about the growth, effort, and attitude along the way.” If he could speak to his younger self, he’d say: “Enjoy every ball and every match. Keep working hard and stay passionate — your efforts will always have meaning. And don’t forget to thank the people who have always supported you.”

At 13, Wong Him already understands that tennis is more than a game. It’s a way of learning how to move forward, one point at a time.

This profile is part of a series highlighting the future stars of Hong Kong tennis, brought to you by 御藥堂, Shun Hing Group, HEAD, Set Win Group, Linkers CPA Limited, POI Cooperation Limited, Titoni, iSmart, Watson's, Gym Aesthetics GA, 奇華餅家, 甘棠燒鹅,儲存易迷你倉, Next Gen, TennisAsia, TNCL Total Nutrition Center Ltd, Little Apple Education Group Limited, Check Check Sin, ESG School HK, Wonder Mami, Eventist, Pones.