Hong Kong’s top-ranked tennis professional, Chak-Lam “Coleman” Wong, has taken the unusual step of calling into a late-night internet talk show to directly confront swirling rumors about his relationship timeline. In a rare public discussion, the 18-year-old athlete sought to definitively clarify the sequence of his breakup with Kei Dong and his budding romance with model Mandy Tam, firmly denying accusations of an overlapping relationship.
The scrutiny began after Wong’s six-month relationship with Dong—the daughter of Cantopop legend Eason Chan—ended. Days after the split was confirmed by Dong herself, Wong was photographed in close conversation with Tam at a tennis facility in Guangzhou’s Nansha district. The speculation intensified when Tam was later spotted courtside during his matches in Seoul, South Korea. The close timing between the events prompted a wave of criticism on Chinese social media, with netizens labeling it a “seamless transition” between partners.
Wong explained that he chose JFFT, the popular live-stream platform hosted by internet personality Bed Gor, because his frequent international travel keeps him from engaging directly with traditional media. During the call, he laid out a clear chronology.
“My relationship with Kei Dong ended in September. The breakup was her decision, and there was no third party involved,” Wong stated. He emphasized that he only met Tam in October, well after the relationship had concluded. “We started getting to know each other in a completely clean situation, and we built our connection from there,” he insisted. According to Wong, there was no contact with Dong after the split.
The athlete also addressed the contradiction critics seized upon: his earlier public statement that he wanted to “focus on tennis.” Wong provided context on the demanding nature of professional sports. “I am constantly traveling and competing overseas. Life on the circuit is very isolating,” he explained. “It is difficult to always be by yourself. Mandy has been a great source of support for me when I need someone.”
In a decisive statement, Wong declared that this conversation would be his last on the subject of his personal life. “I ask the public and the media to respect my privacy. From now on, I will dedicate myself entirely to my matches and work to achieve better results,” he said.
The episode underscores the immense public pressure faced by rising young athletes in the region, where personal lives are often dissected alongside professional achievements. By seizing control of the narrative through a direct digital channel, Wong halted a week of damaging speculation. For the young star—who carries the hopes of a growing Hong Kong tennis scene—the focus now returns squarely to the court, where he aims to let his racket do the talking.