Former local tennis ace Jaime Wong inducted into Georgia Tech’s Hall of Fame

SINGAPORE — Former junior tennis ace Jaime Wong will become the first Singaporean to be  inducted into Georgia Institute of Technology’s Athletics Hall of Fame 2016 at the annual Induction Dinner at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Centre on Friday (Oct 14).

The 34-year-old is the second women’s tennis player after Kim Lash (1992) to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Georgia Tech’s 130-year sporting history.

She will join a class of 2016 that includes the likes of Atlanta Hawks basketballer Jarrett Jack and American Football player Calvin Johnson, who retired from National Football League team Detroit Lions this year after nine seasons.

Ranked seventh on the list of public universities in the United States, Georgia Tech’s Hall of Fame also boasts the country’s top sporting talents, including three-time Olympics champion Angelo Taylor (athletics), as well as golf legends Bobby Jones and David Duval.

Wong’s tennis career began at a young age, when the then-12-year-old became the youngest national tennis champion in 1994. She also holds Singapore’s highest winning record at the International Tennis Federation Fed Cup of 20-6 when she represented the Republic from 1997 to 2004.

From 2000 to 2003, she represented Georgia Tech in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) team championships, and she was the first women’s player from the university to play in the NCAA Singles Championship in 2002.

She was also picked for the All-Atlantic Coast Conference three times in 2000, 2001, and 2003, and was the singles champion in 2000.

Wong, who also played in the 1995 and 1997 SEA Games, returned to Singapore in 2004, and started Ignite Tennis Academy six years later to focus on junior tennis development for children aged between three to 18.

Currently in Georgia for the Induction dinner, Wong said of her induction: “It is a tremendous honour but yet I can’t help feeling a sense of unworthiness to have my name alongside some of the world’s sporting legends. 

“I know of others on the Georgia Tech tennis team who had worked way harder than I did, and who were much better role models than I was. They were the ones who spurred me on and brought out the best in me.

“So the award is a reflection of the leadership of coach Bryan Shelton and the strong team spirit of the team I was so blessed to be a part of.”

Shelton, now the men’s tennis coach at the University of Florida, called the Hall of Fame induction a “well-deserved” honour for the Singaporean.

“Jaime Wong competed at the highest level and brought a skill set that most college players don’t possess,” he told the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets website (www.ramblinwreck.com).

“I am really happy that Jaime is being recognised for her achievements. I often said that Jamie made the most of her college experience and grew exponentially as a person. She has continued to grow evenmore since she graduated. She has learned how to put others first which is an admirable characteristic.”

Wong left Georgia Tech with a school-record 101 singles wins and 82 in doubles. Currently, she is ranked fifth in both. But she said: “Looking back, it was not my winning percentage that was special to me. It was the team and experience with the team.

“Knowing now that my wins and winning percentage contributed to the success of my team that I loved, that’s what makes it special.”

It is this passion that she hopes to awaken in her trainees at her academy. She said: “My goal for Ignite is to be a positive influence on our students, and impact their lives in a special way that will lead them into becoming the best player and person that they can be. I believe that a player blossom and reach his or her full potential in such an environment.”