South Korea’s Hong Seong-chan is set to pause his international tennis career after this season. However, this hiatus isn’t prompted by retirement or a shift in focus; rather, the 26-year-old is mandated to fulfill his military service obligation back home, commencing with enrollment in the South Korean Army in December.
This transition will confine him to competing solely in tournaments within South Korea, affecting his global ranking, presently positioned at No. 221. Nonetheless, a recent victory over India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan at the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger is anticipated to elevate him to approximately World No. 210.
Supported by his spouse in the spectator stands, Hong Seong-chan avenged prior losses to Ramanathan, prevailing over him in both a 2016 Davis Cup singles match and a men’s doubles semi-final at the Asian Games last September.
Although a gold medal at the latter event could have potentially secured an exemption from military duty, fate had other plans.
Reflecting on his impending service commitment, Hong shared with the media in Bengaluru, “I have to go to the army this year for one-and-a-half years.
This year will be my last year. Since I cannot travel for one and a half years, I cannot compete with the other players in the world.”
With the looming December timeline casting a shadow over his career, Seong-chan Hong has set an immediate target – securing a spot in the qualifying draw at Roland-Garros.
This aspiration is fueled by his desire to make a return to the venue where he made his debut in Grand Slam qualifying matches, a significant milestone in his professional journey.
“My immediate goal is to play in the Roland-Garros qualifying. I also want to play in the main draw of the Grand Slams this year. That’s my main goal as I have to go to the army at the end of the year,” he articulated.
While his initial Roland-Garros qualifying match concluded in defeat against Italy’s Matteo Gigante, which was attributed partly to nerves, it’s this very experience that propels his determination to return to Paris and deliver an improved performance.
