Soonwoo Kwon is a South Korean professional tennis player who has been representing his nation in international tournaments since 2017. Despite his young age, Kwon has already won several prestigious trophies, including two ATP titles.
After winning the ATP Tour title in January 2023, he became the first and only Korean to win multiple ATP titles.
The Sangju-born tennis prodigy began playing tennis at a young age and became professional in 2015 when he was just eighteen. He has already amassed nearly $2.5 million as prize money.
Kwon debuted his first Grand Slam after his 2018 Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff victory. Just a year after, he made his top 100 debuts on August 5, 2019, as No. 97.
He is currently ranked at No. 68 as of February 2023 and has not won any Grand Slam titles in five appearances.
This article will discuss the professional and personal life of Asia’s rising tennis player who has the potential to make it big in the international tennis scene. But, before proceeding further, let’s see some quick facts.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kwon Soon-woo |
| Internationally Known As | Soonwoo Kwon |
| Nickname | Not Available |
| Birth Date | December 2, 1997 |
| Birth Place | Sangju, South Korea |
| Residence | Not Available |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Ethnicity | Asian |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Father’s Name | Kwon Young-hoon |
| Mother’s Name | Kwon Eunmi |
| Siblings | 2 (Hakyung and Sookyung) |
| Age | 25 Years Old |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in / 180 cm / 1.80 m |
| Weight | 72 kg / 158 lb |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Profession | Tennis Player |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse | None |
| Children | None |
| Coach | Daniel Yoo |
| Beginning Of Professional Career | 2015 |
| Retirement | Not Yet |
| Playing Style | Right-Handed (Two-Handed Backhand) |
| Victory | 10 |
| Net Worth | $1-10 million |
| Social Media | |
| Last Update | April 2024 |
Early Life & Family
Soonwoo Kwon, popular in Korea as Kwon Soon-woo, was born on December 2, 1997, to his parents, Eunmi and Young-hoon, in Sangju, South Korea. Kwon is his family name.
His dad, Young-hoon, was a high school geography teacher but had an interest in athletics, particularly tennis. Learning the same from his dad, Kwon learned to play tennis at a young age.
However, Soonwoo wanted to be a professional soccer player while growing up. He changed his mind and began participating in local tennis competitions at age ten.
When he was sixteen, his family migrated to Seoul, where he attended high school with future South Korean professional tennis player Lee Duck-hee. As his games improved, Kwon decided to go professional instead of pursuing higher studies.
Speaking of his family members, he has two sisters in the family. One of his sisters, Hakyung, won Miss Korea Gyeongbuk in 2015.
Career
The South Korean Tennis Association nominated Kwon to represent the South Korean national team in the Davis Cup in 2017, which became his first major tournament appearance.
Eventually, he made his debut for his home country in a match against Uzbek player Denis Istomin, eleven years his senior.
Soonwoo’s most significant achievement in the Davis Cup is winning against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (ranked No. 13) in 2022.
Even though he is at No. 68 in the current world ranking, Kwon was at his career-high No. 52 in 2021. But that still is far from what Kwon has been thinking of achieving from his tennis career.
Kwon registered his first Grand Slam win at the 2020 U.S. Open against the Vietnamese American tennis player Thai-Son Kwiatkowski.
At Wimbledon, he lost in the first round to the top seed and eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, in four sets.
In his eight-year professional tennis career, Soonwoo Kwon has won two ATP, three ATP Challenge, and five ITF World Tennis Tour titles.
Age & Body Measurements
As of 2024, Soonwoo Kwon is 25 years old.
Speaking of his body measurements, the jolly-looking tennis player stands 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters ) tall, making him taller than the average South Korean male. Similarly, he weighs around 158 lb (72 kg).
Besides, he has black hair and dark brown eyes and prefers being clean-shaven like most South Korean men.
Net Worth
Soonwoo Kwon’s net worth is between $1 million and $10 million as of April 2024. The primary source of his earning is through professional and international tennis games.
As of yet, the Korean tennis star has already earned prize money worth $2,401,265.
Besides that, Kwon makes a lot of money through his endorsement deals with companies such as Fila, Elroel, Delta Airlines, Flex, Head, Yonex, etc.
Interesting Facts
- Soonwoo Kwon likes listening to music. In an interview, he admitted that he enjoys going to karaoke to sing with his friends during his vacations.
- His birthplace, Sangju, is famous for dried persimmons. Persimmon is a tomato-like fruit, mainly grown in East Asian countries.
- Kwon’s favorite shots are drop shots and down-the-line forehand shots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
What tennis racquet does Soonwoo Kwon use?
Since his association with a sports equipment Company named Yonex, he has been using tennis racquets manufactured by them. The company mainly produces sports apparel for badminton, golf, and tennis and is based in Japan.
Is Soonwoo Kwon the best tennis player in South Korea?
Soonwoo Kwon is one of the best players coming from South Korea in recent years. However, it is too soon to say he is the best. Chung Hyeon, another Korean tennis player nearly the same age as Kwon, has better stats than him.
