Chung Hyeon ends season early with right foot injury

Tennis star Chung Hyeon has concluded his season due to a foot injury.

IMG Korea, Chung’s management, announced on Friday that he withdrew from the Paris Masters, which starts today, due to an injury to his right foot.

Chung will focus on getting his foot treated and get a head start on his offseason training.

After winning the Next Generation ATP Finals, a tennis tournament featuring players from the ATP World Tour who are under 21, in Milan in 2017, the Korean star gained wide popularity when he caught the tennis world by surprise after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia 3-0 in the round of 16 at the Australian Open. He went on to beat Tennys Sandgren of the United States in the quarterfinal before falling to Federer in the semifinals.

Then, by reaching the quarterfinals in his next four events, Chung reached a career high of No. 19 in the world. But Chung’s momentum didn’t last for too long - he struggled in the remaining season with injuries. Due to continuous withdrawals, Chung’s world ranking has now dropped to No. 27.

By Kang Yoo-rim