"15,200 fans flocked to Seoul" → "Yeosu also buzzing": Fan enthusiasm explodes as An Se-young takes the court... Korean racket sports on a hot streak

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Fan enthusiasm for Korean racket sports is running high. More than 15,000 spectators flocked to an international tennis tournament held in Seoul, and attention is also focused on the Korea Open, featuring "badminton queen" An Se-young (Samsung Life).

The "2026 Eugene Investment & Securities Seoul Open Challenger Tennis Tournament," which concluded on the 1st, attracted a total of approximately 15,200 spectators over eight days.

This tournament, in which Eugene Investment & Securities served as title sponsor for the second consecutive year, was held at an upgraded level, moving from ATP Challenger 100 last year to Challenger 125 this year.

Fan interest was also intense. Approximately 4,000 people visited on the first day of the tournament qualifiers, and a whopping 5,400 attended the venue on the 31st of last month when the semifinals were held. On the 1st, when the final took place, approximately 2,600 people visited the tournament site despite the rain.

At the tournament, Terence Atmane (France) claimed the singles title. Atmane defeated Coleman Wong (Hong Kong) in a tight five-set match in the final to reach the top. He secured his second Challenger title in Korea, following last year's Busan Open.

In doubles, the pair of Finn Reynolds (New Zealand, ranked 78th in doubles) and James Watt (New Zealand, ranked 79th in doubles) won the championship. The Reynolds-Watt duo combined for their eighth ATP Challenger title overall.

Domestic players also performed well. Jung Yun-seong (Anseong City Hall) and Hong Seong-chan (Dangjin City Hall) defeated top-seeded Chinese players to advance to the singles quarterfinals side by side.

Additionally, various events were held, including a fan signing session with world-renowned tennis star Marin Cilic (Croatia), which received a positive response from fans.

The players also expressed satisfaction. Reynolds and Watt conveyed their gratitude through the tournament organizers, stating, "We received meticulous management and support of a level rarely experienced at Challenger 125 events throughout the week. Thanks to this, we were able to focus solely on our matches." Atmane also said, "I drew strength from the fans' cheers."

Time was also arranged for players and fans to interact directly. Cilic provided technical instruction and shared his experiences at a one-point clinic. The day before the qualifiers opened, Bu Yunchaokete, Hong Seong-chan, and Kim Jang-jun (University of Virginia, ranked 852nd) joined ball kids for a pizza party, discussing their playing careers and tennis.

Go Gyeong-mo, President and CEO of Eugene Investment & Securities, stated, "This year's Seoul Open was able to conclude successfully thanks to high-quality tournament operations and the even greater enthusiasm of the spectators." He added, "We are grateful to the fans who filled the regret of playing the final on an indoor court due to rain with their passionate cheers. We will continue to actively support the expansion and development of tennis in Korea."

It is not just tennis. The box-office heat continues in badminton as well.

The "2026 Yeosu Victor Korea Open Badminton Championships," which opened on the 3rd at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, is also receiving high interest from fans.

In particular, it is known that tickets for the semifinals on the upcoming 7th and the final on the 8th have already sold out.

World No. 1 An Se-young is participating in this tournament. An will begin her challenge for her 11th title of the season with a women's singles round of 32 match against Bulgaria's Kaloyana Nalbantova on the afternoon of the 4th.

An reached the top of last month's French Open, achieving her 10th tournament win this season. If she conquers this Korea Open as well, she will match the record set by Japan's Momo Takahashi in 2019 for 11 wins in a single season.

An previously reached the top of the Korea Open in 2022 and 2023. This time, she is challenging two goals: her third career Korea Open title and her 11th win of the season.

Although there were concerns about physical strain due to consecutive recent tournament appearances, An decided to stand before domestic fans. Instead, she has decided not to participate in the Kumamoto Masters, which will be held in Japan starting on the 10th.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original