Source : The Independent
"Chung is the champion in Milan!"
You may not have heard this sentence before, the name Hyeon Chung may not even ring a bell.
Yet on November 11, 2017, after a perfect week at the ATP next generation tournament, the then-21-year-old South Korean seemed destined for a very successful career.
While it's true that a victory in this special-format tournament isn't a guaranteed indicator of future success, his semi-final performance at the Australian Open just a few months later no longer leaves any room for doubt.
Chung is 19th in the world, has just beaten Djokovic in 3 sets and is now preparing to dominate the tennis scene.
Heyon Chung winning the NextGenATP Finals
Source : Tennis Tv
"We are in 2023 and Hyeon Chung has won 3 Australian Opens, 2 Wimbledons as well as... "
That sentence too doesn't sound like something you've ever heard, and you probably never will.
The truth is much less exciting. Nowhere to be found on the ATP rankings, the 27-year-old Korean has suffered a series of back injuries and is struggling to make his comeback on the ATP circuit.
Leader of a generation of rising talents in the 2016-2017 seasons, Chung can only acknowledge the harsh reality : he is no longer one of the ATP circuit's promising young players, while his former companions have comfortably established themselves in the top 20.
Struggling to get back on the circuit, Chung was unfortunately still affected by his physical problems during the 2023 season.
Benefiting from "Wildcards" (invitation to participate in a tournament despite a low ranking) in several tournaments, the Korean was unable to earn as many ATP points as he would have wished.
Hyeon Chung back on the challenger tour in Seoul.
Source: Yonhap News
Despite the difficult circumstances and the Korean's low probability of returning to his highest level, Chung deserves to be presented in the proper manner.
Having not received long-term media exposure, many (too many) tennis fans are still unaware of the potential of a diamond who, at the age of just 20, impressed the tennis world with the maturity and solidity of his game.
The Asian Djokovic
For those who have never seen him play, Hyeon Chung is a player whose style is very similar to Novak Djokovic's.
In fact, the South Korean himself declared that he had been greatly inspired by his idol in order to create his own style of tennis, the day after his greatest victory to date at the Australian Open.
With a rather distant position on the court, Hyeon Chung has, at first sight, a defensive game. Able to absorb the rhythm imposed by his opponent, Chung shows great consistency on both sides.
The young Korean has a sharp tactical sense that allows him to operate a transition between defense and attack perfectly orchestrated when his opponent begins to slow down the pace of his offensive phase.
"In terms of defense, it's very impressive"
Roger Federer
Another common point which brings him closer to his idol : his elasticity.
If his speed already made him a difficult player to overcome, his incredible extension increased his defensive capacities.
Hyeon Chung defensive skills at the Australian Open
Source : The New York Times
Lastly, in a tennis era where young talents do not always exploit their full potential due to a sometimes-unstable mindset, Hyeon Chung stands out for his calmness combined with a flawless fighting spirit.
The korean doesn't rock the boat, rarely plays with the audience, doesn't do trick shots, and certainly doesn't insult anyone.
He won't make you laugh, and he probably won't unleash the crowds, but who cares, Chung is focused, disciplined, and will stick to his game plan until his last breath.
What to expect from Hyeon Chung?
While the situation may seem desperate, Chung is by no means a unique case, many players have already gone through this difficult stage before successfully reappearing on the tennis scene.
It will certainly take time to see the South Korean perform again but his talent and cleverness lead us to believe that nothing is impossible.
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