By Scoop Malinowski
Status: ATP no. 187. South Korea Davis Cup team member.
Ht: 5-9 Wt: 143
DOB: June 30, 1997 In: Gangwondo, South Korea
First Tennis Memory: When I started, I started because my dad loves tennis. And then when I was little kid I just followed my dad, grabbed balls and played.
Tennis Heroes/Inspirations: I like to watch Roger playing. I always watch on the You Tube. So he’s my hero. When I was young I watched him a lot on You Tube.
Last Book Read: Korean books. I don’t know how to say it.
Current Car: KIA (white).
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: Roger – when I go to junior Australian Open the first time, I saw him but it was too far [smiles]. I saw him the first time.
Greatest Career Moment: It was last year Davis Cup in Korea (Feb. 2023). I played the last singles against Belgium and I won, World Group. That was my best match. Beat Zizou Bergs (63 76).
Most Painful Moment: I don’t know… it’s always painful when I lose a match [laughs]. Yeah.
Favorite Tournament: I love the US Open.
Best You Ever Felt On Court: I played junior Masters when I was 19, against Casper Ruud in the final. That was my best match. In Chengdu, China.
Strangest Match: I remember when I was junior, I played a guy from Japan. I lost first set and second set I was losing 0-5, love-40, he’s serving. And then the rains came. Then we played the day after and I beat him [smiles]. That’s my best. In Japan, in Osaka. (How did you do it?!) I don’t know. I was thinking like before I sleep, maybe I can hit it out or in the net, the first ball. I don’t know. He was really nervous. I wasn’t nervous.
Funny Tennis Memory: Always when I win the match, tennis makes me happy. Now my ranking is highest now, so now I play all the tournaments. So everything is first time, so I’m happy now.
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: I try to play golf in Korea. But not much.
Why Do You Love Tennis: I don’t know. I’m losing match every day, every week. But when I win the match, it’s the best feeling. That’s why I love tennis.
Funniest Player Encountered: I think Monfils.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate [laughs].
Fiercest Competitor Encountered: Toughest… I think the guy from Korea, his name is (Soonwoo) Kwon. I cannot imagine how to beat him, he’s too good. He’s always playing good with me in practice match. His backhand – really good backhand. When I’m playing against his backhand with my backhand, I always lose [smiles].
People Qualities Most Admired: People that don’t give up. But first thing I think is good attitude. I try to be with a good attitude. Like someone being, like, to me with good attitude.
Davis Cup · Gael Monfils · Roger Federer · Seongchan Hong · South Korea · Yonex
Scoop Malinowski · April 26, 2024 at 9:52 am
Hong was ITF no. 3 junior and played in AO Jr final 2015 vs Safiullin. The first years of his ATP career were stalled by inability to travel and play pro tournaments.