Hong Kong’s new number one tennis ace Eudice Chong ready to take reins and guide new generation
- Chong reflects on first year since turning pro, which includes becoming the city’s top-ranked women’s singles player
- The 23-year-old Wesleyan alumni targets singles and doubles grand slam event qualification
When Eudice Chong began her Hong Kong tennis career, she would look to the city's dominant number one-ranked women's star Zhang Ling for inspiration. Now, barely a year after turning professional, the 23-year-old has assumed that crucial torchbearer role for a sport that has long struggled for support and exposure.
Chong became Hong Kong's top female player in May – according to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) – and the world number 378 is prepared to be the poster girl for the emergent batch of Gen-Z players.
“It's important to have someone to look up to. I've always looked up to Zhang Ling,” Chong said after being announced as the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club's first non-golf athlete ambassador on Sunday. In return for the club's support, Chong will impart some valuable tennis experience to the tennis academy's women and youth.
“Now I'm kind of stepping into her shoes and being someone who can be there for younger kids – to promote the sport and let people know that although it's tough to play professionally, it's important to enjoy what you do.”
Chong is not fazed by having surpassed the 30-year-old Zhang, four-time grand slam event entrant and 14-time International Tennis Federation (ITF) women's circuit singles title winner, in the rankings.