South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo returns the ball to Serbia’s Laslo Djere during the group stage men’s singles match between Serbia and South Korea of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Fuente San Luis Sports Hall in Valencia on September 12, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)
Racket-smashing South Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo wrote a letter of apology Tuesday for his spectacular meltdown following a shock defeat at the Asian Games.
Thailand’s lower-ranked Kasidit Samrej stunned Kwon 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the men’s singles second round in Hangzhou on Monday, triggering a furious response from the 25-year-old South Korean.
Pictures went viral of him smacking his racket on the court nine times at the end of the match, destroying it, and then snubbing concerted efforts by his victorious opponent to shake hands.
#WATCH 🇰🇷South Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo smashed his racket and refused to shake hands with his opponent after losing the men's singles tennis at the #AsianGames2023 2-1 to Kasidit Samrej of Thailand on Monday.
According to the relevant regulations of South Korea,… pic.twitter.com/9YF5Je0U1z
— 凤凰欧洲 PhoenixCNE News (@PhoenixCNE_News) September 25, 2023
Kwon, ranked 112 in the world to his opponent’s 636 and a hot favorite for a medal, was widely condemned at home in South Korea.
He has since visited Thailand’s training camp and apologized, Yonhap news agency said, citing the Korea Tennis Association. His apology was reportedly accepted.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee released a hand-written letter of apology by Kwon, who has two ATP titles to his name.
In his letter, Kwon said he regretted what he called “a careless act”.
“I sincerely apologize to all the Korean people who support the national team and to the fans at the stadium. I’m sorry,” he wrote.
“I once again sincerely apologize to Samrej, who would have been offended by my rude behavior.
“I sincerely regret it and am reflecting on my actions after the match.”