South Korean tennis sensation Kwon Soon-woo has made a significant announcement on Instagram. He will commence his mandatory 18-month military service in January. Military service has been an obligatory duty for South Korean men aged 18 to 35 since 1957, with only a few exemptions granted. Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min is one such example, being excused from nearly two years of service due to his contribution to the nation's victory at the Asian Games in 2018.

Asian Games and Tennis Dreams

Kwon, the only South Korean man to win multiple ATP titles, had the opportunity to obtain an exemption if he had won gold at the Asian Games last year. He was a strong contender, but unfortunately, he suffered a surprising early defeat in singles and could only manage a bronze in doubles. This led to him going viral after his Asian Games defeat when he smashed his racket in a fit of rage. However, his Instagram statement this week painted a more positive picture.He wrote, "I will enlist in the army on January 13, 2025. My life as a tourist will come to a halt for almost two years, but I will return in a form that you can't even imagine. I know many people say that it's too late to start playing again after 30. But I believe 30 is the prime of life, and I am confident."He further added, "I have only accomplished 20 percent of the goals I set for myself. The remaining 80 percent will be the Korean tennis that all tennis fans dream of. I will make Korean tennis what every tennis enthusiast desires, and I will persevere until I achieve it."

Returning to the Tour

When Kwon returns to the tour at 28, he will be aiming to fight his way back up the rankings. He has previously reached a high of 52nd in the world. The Sangju-born competitor has a remarkable third-round appearance at the French Open and has reached the second round of every other Grand Slam since turning professional in 2015.In August, after his first-round exit at the US Open, he gave fans a heads up about his impending military service. He wrote, "I've been on tour for nine years until this year. I think a lot has happened. It was truly an unforgettable experience. The first half of my life on tour has ended after nine years, but I will fulfill all the things I couldn't achieve in the second half of my tour life until I succeed. I will find you as the perfect Kwon Soon-woo in the second half. Thank you very much to those who have supported me so far."