Chung Hyeon: The South Korean sensation who beat Djokovic and then disappeared

In January 2018, the tennis world was taken by storm by an unassuming young man from South Korea. Chung Hyeon, a bespectacled 21-year-old, was seemingly unstoppable as he powered through the Australian Open, defeating tennis heavyweights like Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic.

By reaching the semifinals, Chung became the first South Korean to make it that far in a Grand Slam, putting him firmly in the spotlight as a rising star. But just as quickly as he rose, he faded. So, what happened to the player many touted as the future of tennis?

Chung’s journey to tennis prominence began with his unique backstory. Born in Suwon-si, South Korea, he started playing tennis at the age of six, encouraged by his parents after their family doctor recommended it as a way to improve his eyesight, as the Guardian reported in 2018. 

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Known for his baseline consistency, remarkable defensive skills, and an indomitable work ethic, Chung’s game seemed tailor-made for the physical demands of modern tennis. At the 2018 Australian Open, he announced himself on the world stage with a series of jaw-dropping performances.

His victory over Novak Djokovic in the fourth round was particularly memorable. Despite facing one of the greatest players of all time, Chung displayed a fearless brand of tennis, outlasting Djokovic in straight sets, winning 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) – a special victory, especially given that Djokovic was Chung's idol. 

"I don't know how I did that. When I'm young I just try to copy Novak, because he's my idol. I was ready to play two more hours. It's a dream come true tonight," he said in the wake of the victory, as reported by ESPN.

Chung’s dream run ended in the semifinals when he retired against Roger Federer due to blisters. While his exit was disappointing, it did little to tarnish his growing reputation. By the end of the tournament, he had climbed to a career-high ranking of World No. 19 and became a national hero in South Korea.

He had also won over his peers at the top echelons of the sport, even Djokovic was sold on the Korean sensation, as he told the Guardian in 2018.

"He definitely has the game to be a top-10 player, without a doubt. How far he can go, that depends on him. I respect him a lot because he's a hard worker, he's disciplined, he's a nice guy, he's quiet. You can see that he cares about his career and his performances." It seemed like Chung was destined for greatness.

But in 2019, Chung’s ranking began to plummet as he struggled to string together consistent performances. He missed significant portions of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to a back injury, as reported on the 'Tennis' website, and his attempts at comebacks were often short-lived. 

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His absence from the ATP Tour was glaring, with fans and critics alike doubting he could return to the form that made him a household name.

In 2022, he spoke ahead of the Korean Open, his first major tournament since he dropped out of Roland Garros in 2020. "It has taken me a long time to return to the court after rehabilitation, but I just feel good as I am able to come back to the court. No matter what the result will be, I will do my best."

While the road back to the top tier of tennis is undoubtedly challenging, and that particular tournament did not put him back on the winning path, there have been glimpses of the old brilliance that once made him a sensation.

In January 2025, Chung finally ended a six-year wait to lift a title at any level. After suffering back-to-back first-round exits at ITF events in Indonesia, he turned things around at the M25 in Bali.

Entering as a wildcard, he would secure a 6-1, 6-2 victory over British world No. 419 Giles Hussey in the final.

Chung is currently ranked No. 1107 and 28 years old, and pundits doubt he can get his career back to its heights of 2018, when he enjoyed a top 20 ranking. However, his patience and persistence with a sport that has offered nothing but pain and frustration over the last five years is nothing short of admirable.

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