Kwon Soon-woo returns to Wimbledon while still in Korea's army

Kwon Soon-woo is competing at Wimbledon 2026 while finishing South Korea's 18-month compulsory military service. Special permission from the military's Athlete Corps—and an ATP rulebook rewrite—let the 28-year-old return to the grass majors just weeks before his July 12 discharge, the same day as the men's final. For a two-time ATP title winner once ranked No. 52, the run caps a career interrupted—but not ended—by national service.

Key Takeaways

• Kwon Soon-woo is playing Wimbledon weeks before completing compulsory South Korean military service, with discharge set for July 12, 2026.
• His case prompted an ATP rulebook rewrite and the first policy change in the military's Athlete Corps to allow overseas Grand Slam play.
• Tommy Paul beat Soonwoo Kwon in the Gentlemen's second round on July 1, 2026, per AP coverage from the All England Club.
• Coach Daniel Yoo told Ben Rothenberg's Bounces that Kwon is very happy to be nearly done with service.
• ESPN Deportes streamed the Paul–Kwon second-round match live on July 1, 2026.

Why is Kwon Soon-woo at Wimbledon while still in the army?

South Korea requires roughly 18 months of military service, and Kwon Soon-woo's compulsory stint disrupted a career that had already produced two ATP titles and a peak ranking of 52nd. As tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg reported from Wimbledon, July 12, 2026 is circled on Kwon's calendar for a different reason than most players: it marks the end of his service—the same day as the men's singles final.

Kwon and coach Daniel Yoo told Bounces he is very happy to be nearly done. Fellow ATP players have welcomed him back, with Rothenberg noting that peers respect his speed on court.

What had to change for a soldier to play at Wimbledon?

Rothenberg writes that Kwon's story led to a rewriting of the ATP rulebook and prompted a South Korean general to change Athlete Corps policies for the first time, clearing him to compete at Wimbledon this year. That bureaucratic shift matters beyond one player: it sets a precedent for how South Korea balances national duty with elite sport.

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How did Kwon's 2026 Wimbledon run end?

Kwon faced Tommy Paul in the Gentlemen's second round. ESPN Deportes listed a live stream for Paul vs. Kwon in the Gentlemen's Second Round on July 1, 2026.

AP imagery published by the Springfield News-Sun shows Tommy Paul of the United States celebrating after winning that second-round men's singles match against Soonwoo Kwon at the All England Club in London on Wednesday, July 1. The photo caption confirms Paul advanced past the South Korean.

What comes next after July 12?

With discharge scheduled for July 12—the day of the Wimbledon men's final—Kwon faces a pivot from barracks to the full ATP schedule. Rothenberg frames the date as a finish line after service that disrupted, distracted, and derailed—but did not destroy—his career.

For the full reporting on Kwon's military journey and Day 1 Wimbledon previews, see Ben Rothenberg's Bounces newsletter.