Korean Tennis Stars Kwon Soonwoo and Chung Hyeon to Compete as Gwangju Open Challenger Kicks Off on April 19
by Min Hyunki
Published 14 Apr.2026 19:37(KST)
Eight Days of Intense Matches at Jinwol International Tennis Court
Over 200 Athletes from 32 Countries to Compete
The world-class tennis event where fans can watch matches featuring "the face of Korean tennis" Kwon Soonwoo and Chung Hyeon in person will take place in Gwangju.
The Gwangju Tennis Association announced on April 14 that it will host the "2026 Gwangju Open International Men's Challenger Tour Tennis Tournament" for eight days, from April 19 to April 26, at the Jinwol International Tennis Court.
This tournament, hosted by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Korea Tennis Association (KTA), will feature more than 200 athletes from 30 countries. The total prize money amounts to $107,000, with the singles champion receiving $17,000 and 75 ATP ranking points.
The most anticipated aspect of this tournament is the joint appearance of Korean tennis aces Kwon Soonwoo (Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps) and Chung Hyeon (Gimpo City Hall). Both players have been granted wild cards and will compete in the singles main draw. In particular, Kwon Soonwoo, who is currently serving in the military, has been on an upward trend with recent successes in the Davis Cup and winning a Challenger tournament, while Chung Hyeon is also improving his performance, raising expectations among fans.
The field of international players is also impressive. Top-tier athletes including James Duckworth of Australia, ranked 86th in the world, Adam Walton (Australia), and Sho Shimabukuro (Japan), will participate, promising matches of the highest caliber.
The tournament will kick off with the qualifiers on April 19 and 20, followed by the main draw, with the doubles final scheduled for April 25 and the singles final on April 26. During the tournament, there will be autograph sessions featuring national team members such as Chung Hyeon and Kwon Soonwoo. Additionally, amateur competitions for women and the "Tennis Rookie Tournament" targeting Millennials & Gen Z, along with various fitness and recreational events, will take place simultaneously.
Kim Kwanghee, president of the Gwangju Tennis Association, stated, "We expect a high level of competition as outstanding athletes from home and abroad, including national team members, participate in large numbers. We will offer tennis fans the special experience of watching star players' matches in person."
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