'Korea's Tennis Star' Chung Hyeon Makes a Smashing Comeback on Gwangju Courts

'Korea's leading tennis star' Chung Hyeon (29, Gimpo City Hall) will take to the court at Bitgoeul in Gwangju, showcasing his top-tier skills on the domestic stage.

According to the Gwangju City Tennis Association on April 20, Chung Hyeon will compete in the main draw of the 2026 Gwangju Open International Men's Challenger Tour tennis tournament, set to begin on April 21 at Jinwol International Tennis Court. The tournament offers a total prize pool of $107,000. The singles champion will receive 75 ranking points and $17,000 in prize money (approximately 24 million won).

'Korea's leading tennis star' Chung Hyeon (29, Gimpo City Hall) is determined to perform well ahead of the main draw (Round of 32) of the 2026 Gwangju Open International Men's Challenger Tour tennis tournament at Jinwol International Tennis Court in Gwangju on the 20th. Provided by Gwangju City Tennis Association

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Based on the draw, Chung Hyeon (ATP No. 549), who received a wildcard, will face Jason Jung of Taiwan (ATP No. 269) in the Round of 32. Although Jason Jung is a veteran with a past Gwangju Open title to his name, analysts believe Chung Hyeon, with his youthful energy, has a strong chance of winning, as Jung has recently played few singles matches.

For Chung Hyeon, Gwangju is a 'land of promise.' After winning the singles gold medal at the 2015 Gwangju Universiade, he returned to the Gwangju courts last year for the first time in a decade, showing his strength by advancing to the quarterfinals. Recently, he has continued to hone his competitive edge by consistently participating in international tournaments in India, Japan, and China.

In an interview immediately after training on April 20, Chung Hyeon said, "I focused on training while taking a rest just before the tournament," adding, "I have checked my overall balance, including baseline defense and movement, so I will show my best performance and connect with the fans on the court."

In addition to Chung Hyeon, Kwon Soonwoo (Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps) and Park Uiseong (Daegu City Hall) have also joined the main draw as wildcards. Park Uiseong, who hails from Gurye, will face the top seed Sho Shimabukuro of Japan (ATP No. 108) in his opening match, putting his skills to the test from the very first round.

Kim Gwanghee, President of the Gwangju City Tennis Association, said, "We expect both international and top domestic players to deliver high-level matches. It is an honor to host this international tournament in Gwangju, a city renowned for its cuisine and rich cultural heritage."

Meanwhile, on the opening day, April 19, a fan signing event featuring national team players such as Chung Hyeon and Kwon Soonwoo drew an enthusiastic response from tennis fans. The tournament will conclude with the singles final on April 26.

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