Hong Kong resident Jérôme Lacorte successfully set a new Guinness world record in tennis in the territory on Sunday afternoon.
Over 32 hours and 21 minutes, the 40 year-old professional coach break the record for challenging 33 consecutive tennis singles opponents in one attempt at the Hong Kong Sports Institute this weekend.
The previous world record holder, Dutch Erik van der Laan, had set the global record bar to 32 opponents in August.
“I am exhausted,” Lacorte, a French citizen, said with a smile after completing the challenge that began at 7am on Saturday. But fatigue didn’t stop him from participating in an additional short exhibition match against former world number 9 Paradorn Srichaphan right after setting the new world record.
The Thai star made a special appearance to support Lacorte’s effort to raise awareness for the Sports for Hope Foundation.
Lacorte is a member of the foundation’s executive committee.
He hoped to raise HK$10 million to engage underprivileged children with sport in Hong Kong.
Marie-Christine Lee, the Sports for Hope Foundation’s founder, said she was touched by Lacorte’s effort to help a good cause. “Jerome showed his superb determination,” said Lee, who was Lacorte’s second-to-last opponent in the challenge.
Lee said the Foundation almost achieved raising HK$10 million in its campaign.
Lacorte said he had a drop in stamina after challenging matches with excellent players on the first day. Among them was Hong Kong’s top men’s player Phillip King.
“It was tough and especially tiring between 2am and 5am. My feet hurt and my muscles tightened. And I missed some shots,” Lacorte said.
“I had to find a way to come back… I never had doubts in myself,” he added.
He did take short breaks after each match, and a 15 minute-long pause for every three matches played.
John Garland, an adjudicator for Guinness World Records, said he was impressed by Lacorte’s achievement.
“He has been playing tennis for more than 32 hours, that’s an amazing feet of endurance,” said Garland. “I wasn’t 100 per cent certain that he would make it. His body and mind have got to keep going for that amount of time. That’s difficult.”
Colin Yam Kwan-ho, 17, said he helped as ball boy from 8am to 8pm on each day. “When I came back this morning [Sunday], I found that Lacorte was playing with the same rhythm like yesterday morning. I wouldn’t say it was unbelievable as he must have confidence to achieve the record, but still, it was wonderful,” said Yam.
