One Texas. One Tennis: Wil Manhkong

One Texas. One Tennis. is a series highlighting the many faces, voices and experiences of Texas Tennis. Everyone is welcome on the tennis court and when we’re open, we’re at our best. On courts across Texas, every player has a story and those stories show the true diversity and strength of our tennis community. Want to share your story: CLICK HERE

For Wil Manhkong, tennis is all about taking an opportunity and turning it into a lifelong connection. What started in high school as a sudden switch from basketball quickly grew into a strong drive to work hard and make the most of his chance on the court.

Today, both as a player and a coach, he carries tennis's biggest lesson off the court: every day brings new challenges, but trusting your preparation will get you through them. Through it all, he views tennis as a simple way to bring people together, building a welcoming community where everyone belongs.

USTA Texas: How did you first get involved in tennis, and what kept you coming back to the court?

Wil Manhkong: I got involved in tennis when I was in high school. I had played basketball for a few years, but I knew my time was coming up knowing that my height played a role against me. I tried out for the tennis team with little experience.  The high school coach saw potential in me and let me stay. I knew that he was being gracious to me, so I didn't want to let him down. I worked at my skill set every day because I knew I was given an opportunity to succeed and didn't want to waste it.

USTA Texas: Who in the tennis community has had the biggest impact on your journey? And why?

Manhkong: It depends on my phases in life. During my teenage years, my high school coach, Gary Marable, was more than a coach to me. He was a father figure and spent extra time with me to coach me. After high school, we would take trips to Colorado, where his mentorship continued. He taught me how to fly fish and always had the best life stories. Still to this day we stay connected.    

As an adult, I got into adult leagues. Playing competitive tennis again to win and get to sectionals/nationals is always great, but I find that winning is only as good as the people you win and lose with and who the captain is. 

Saurin Patel is the best captain I've ever played for. He values the human being and character over the quality of your tennis game.  He wants to win too, but will never sacrifice the culture of his team just to have a strong player who can win a line. He reinforced that adult tennis is more than trying to win league play, but taking this life sport and using it to have life long friends.

USTA Texas: What is one lesson tennis has taught you that you carry with you off the court?

Manhkong: Being a tennis coach, I tell my players all the time that everyday is different when you step on the court, whether it be the weather, your opponent, your physical condition, and even emotional state that will play a role in how you perform. These challenges on the court are exactly like how life is. You won't always be on top of your game, but it's the tools that you have acquired in practice that get you through the match to win. I believe this is how life is everyday, just like stepping on the court. Those mental and physical challenges will determine how we handle the big and small situations in life.

USTA Texas: What is it about the tennis community that helps people from different backgrounds connect?

Manhkong: Tennis knows no boundaries to race, language, or finances. At the end of the day, you can't judge a player by their background.  True people who love the game see through that and allow tennis to bring people together.

USTA Texas: What is one thing we can all do to make tennis more welcoming and inclusive for everyone?

Manhkong: The more opportunities we provide the youth and adults who are learning the game will make tennis a more universal sport.

USTA Texas: What does “One Texas. One Tennis.” mean to you?

Manhkong: Texans are strong and proud people. If you are a tennis player or fan of it, you belong in the community of the sport no matter your level of play or background.