Eye on the purpose: Hong hopes to clinch a second ATP Challenger in addition to play at Roland-Garros.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Seongchan Hong is a person in a rush. The fleet-footed 26-year-old tennis participant from South Korea is racing in opposition to time to understand his goals earlier than leaving for obligatory navy service on the finish of the yr as mandated by his nation’s legal guidelines.
One of these is successful his second ATP Challenger trophy, a feat he agonisingly fell wanting on Sunday within the dafaNews Bengaluru Open last, and likewise in Thailand final month. Another is to play at Roland-Garros, the positioning of his first-ever Major look, albeit within the qualifying rounds.
“I have to go to the army this year and I can’t play for one-and-a-half years,” Hong instructed reporters right here. “This will be my last year of touring. I can only play tournaments within South Korea. That’s why I want to focus hard and enjoy myself on the court as much as I can.”
Stefano Napolitano capped a effective week by capturing solely his second #ATP Challenger title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Seongchan Hong within the last of the dafaNews #BengaluruOpen on the KSLTA courts inside Cubbon Park on Sunday, writes @sudunarayanhttps://t.co/6pTOyhvTr7
— The Hindu – Sports (@TheHinduSports) February 19, 2024
Like his compatriot and famed Tottenham Hotspur ahead Heungmin Son, Hong would have been exempted from the military’s calling if he had gained a gold medal on the Asian Games.
But in Hangzhou final yr, in a curious twist, it was India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni who ended that pursuit by defeating Hong and his accomplice Soonwoo Kwon within the doubles semifinals.
“The losing feeling in the Asian Games was very difficult to handle because now I have to go to the army,” stated Hong. “I won a bronze, so there was some enjoyment… but yeah.
“Now, I cannot compete with other players on the Tour. Rankings will also take a dip. And then, when I come back, I will be 29-30. That means it will be tough for me physically and mentally.”
Not giving up
But Hong isn’t giving up. He plans to remain in contact with the game even when within the military and desires to be again on the Tour.
“The army has a tennis team and I will be playing there. I have to follow the training in the military service and in my free time I can play.
“I want to come back, if I’m physically okay and if my family is okay to let me travel again. I just love the competition.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
