Kai Thompson is one to watch. The 17-year-old Hong Kong born-and-raised talent has claimed the city’s No.1 junior tennis ranking, and sits among the top 50 on the International Tennis Federation juniors list worldwide. In 2025 he flew the flag for Hong Kong at the 15th National Games, clinched Team Hong Kong’s first-ever medal in the Youth Men’s Team Tennis event, and capped the year with a singles victory at the 2025 Nan-Ying Cup International Junior Championships in Taiwan. His momentum carried straight into 2026 with an ATP 250 debut in January, a quarterfinals run at the Australian Open Juniors, and most recently, his first ITF J500 semifinal in Cairo.
This summer, Kai is entering a new chapter in both life and career. “I’m really looking forward to turning 18 and heading into the Summer Slams, it’s my last year as a junior and a chance to go even deeper in these events,” he shares. “Right now my mind is focused on trusting the process, using what I learned in Australia and preparing as well as I—physically and mentally—to make the most of every opportunity this summer.” Before he turns the final page of his junior tennis career, he gears up in Lacoste and adds yet another milestone as Vogue Hong Kong digital cover star.
This is your first time shooting a Vogue Hong Kong digital cover. How was the experience?
Doing the Vogue Hong Kong photoshoot on the streets of Sheung Wan, wearing some great Lacoste outfits, was pretty daunting. It was my first time doing anything like this, and to be honest I was kinda excited but also super nervous. I’m not used to taking photos, especially with so many people watching in public.
The Vogue Hong Kong team made it super easy and fun for me to follow their instructions to get the right shots done. The team was awesome doing hair and a bit of makeup, getting me changed, great photographers snapping away and everyone else made sure it was seamless and all went smoothly. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, but honestly, it was great fun and it will stick with me forever. My first Vogue shoot—how cool!
Coat, blazer, top, pants, card holder, luggage tag, bag and shoes, all Lacoste.
What is your earliest memory of tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was around 4 years old. My earliest memory is of me managing to hit a ball over the net for the first time. I was always smiling and laughing with happiness whenever I saw the ball fly over the net!
Tell me about the turning point–when did you realise this could be your career and not merely a recreational hobby?
When I was around 12, I had to make a decision between rugby and tennis as both sports were starting to get more competitive—especially in rugby, where the contact was getting more intense and the injury risks started to increase. When I realised I was starting to hold back a bit when I was playing rugby, it was an easy decision to drop rugby and focus on tennis. As soon as this happened, I started to see tennis as more than a hobby and began dreaming about going pro.
Who is your biggest role model in the sport and how do they inspire you?
Roger Federer has always been one of my biggest role models. I admire the way he plays tennis, his love of the game and how calm and relaxed he is off the court too. I try to bring that same mix of intensity on court, and balance off court, into my own career.
You made it to the quarterfinals of your first Grand Slam earlier this year. What was it like and what was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open Juniors was an amazing experience, especially playing in the Margaret Court Arena, the biggest and most prestigious court I’ve been on so far. My biggest takeaways were that I am able to compete at the level with the best juniors in the world, and that regardless if I win or lose, every match teaches me lessons I can use to be better prepared for the next big event, whether that’s a Grand Slam or a future pro event.
A lot of athletes love a good motivational quote. Do you have a personal motto?
A simple line I carry with me is: “Give it your best, give everything, have no regrets.” This mindset helps me stay aggressive, take risks, learn from failures, and enjoy the process, instead of being afraid of the outcome.
What is it like being 17 in today’s world? What is something you and your peers are currently hooked on or could talk about for hours?
Being 17 today means juggling a lot of different things at the same time: school, travel, training, social life. When I get the time to be together with friends, we can talk for hours about sports, music, matches that are coming up. Sometimes it’s as simple as talking about tennis matches, an F1 event or even a game of chess.
Coat, blazer, top, pants, card holder, luggage tag, and bag, all Lacoste.
You’re headed to the University of Central Florida later this year. What are you most excited for?
I’m excited to join the program at the University of Central Florida and compete in a strong college tennis environment. The UCF Program appealed to me because of the level of competition, the coaching setup, and the pathway it offers to take my game to the next level and ultimately go pro, which remains a central focus for me. Playing in a team setting while still developing my individual game, getting to train and study in a completely new environment is something I’m really looking forward to.
When you’re not busy training, how do you like to wind down or spend free time?
Away from training, I like to keep things quite simple and relaxed. I usually like to spend time with friends and family, listen to music or just relax happily in my room at home playing some video games.
What are your biggest goals for 2026?
My biggest goals for 2026 are to keep growing as a player, to give it my best at all the ITF Junior tournaments I play this year—especially the remaining Grand Slams as this is my final junior year! Alongside this, I do want to gain more experience in Men’s professional events to build my ranking. Beyond results, I want to continue developing my mental resilience and consistency, so that I’m ready for the next chapter.
What kind of athlete do you want to be and remembered as?
I’d like to be remembered as an athlete who worked hard, competed with real fighting spirit, but also as someone who was calm and collected on the court. Just as importantly, I hope people see me as someone who inspired younger players to believe that with discipline and commitment, they can chase their own goals, not just in tennis, but in life too.
Photographer: Edwin Zhang
Stylist and Producer: Cherry Mui
Makeup Artist: Jovy Chai
Hair Stylist: Hillnex Lee
Photography Assistant: Haiming Huang
Styling Assistant: Audrey Kwan
Gaffer: Samuel Chan
Editor
Alyanna Raissa J. Payos
