Soon-woo Kwon serves in army and returns to Wimbledon
Soon-woo Kwon is competing at Wimbledon 2026 while still completing South Korea's mandatory 18-month military service, with July 12 circled as his discharge date—not the men's final. For tennis fans following July 1 grass-court action—from alycia parks buzz to Soonwoo Kwon vs Tommy Paul—his army-to-Wimbledon comeback is the day's most unusual storyline.
Key Takeaways
- Kwon Soon-woo, 28, is in Wimbledon's 128-man singles draw while weeks away from ending compulsory military service on July 12, 2026.
- His case prompted the first-ever policy change by South Korea's military Athlete Corps and a rewrite of ATP rules.
- Oddschecker is spotlighting Soonwoo Kwon vs Tommy Paul on Wednesday, July 1, as a key Wimbledon betting pick.
- Robinhood is running a Wimbledon men's doubles prediction market the same day for Navone/Vallejo vs Cash/Glasspool.
- ATP peers welcome Kwon back, noting his speed remains a formidable weapon on court.
Why is Kwon Soon-woo still in the army at Wimbledon?
South Korea requires roughly 18 months of military service, and Kwon Soon-woo has spent that period with the military's Athlete Corps. Journalist Ben Rothenberg reported in Bounces that the 28-year-old—who won two ATP titles and peaked at world No. 52—considers July 12, 2026, his finish line for freedom from service, not the date of the Wimbledon men's singles final.
Compulsory duty disrupted, distracted, and derailed his career, Rothenberg wrote, but it did not destroy it. Coach Daniel Yoo told Bounces this week that Kwon is very, very happy to be nearly done.
How did Kwon get permission to play at Wimbledon?
Kwon's story proved extraordinary enough to reshape official policy on two fronts. According to Rothenberg, it led to a rewriting of the ATP Rulebook and prompted a South Korean general to alter Athlete Corps rules for the first time, specifically allowing him to compete at Wimbledon in 2026.
That bureaucratic breakthrough placed him among the 128 men in the singles draw at the All England Club while he was still nominally on active service—a scenario rare enough to belong in our Bizarre World archive.
Who does Kwon face on July 1, and what are markets watching?
Oddschecker's Wimbledon preview for Wednesday, July 1, centers on Soonwoo Kwon versus Tommy Paul—a matchup drawing first-round betting attention and underscoring how unusual Kwon's presence in the draw remains. The sportsbook's pick page frames the clash as one of the day's notable grass-court tests for a player returning from military obligations.
The same Wimbledon schedule also feeds broader prediction markets. Robinhood's July 1 contract asks who will win the men's doubles Round of 64 match between Mariano Navone and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo against Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool—one of several side bets drawing attention as the Championships intensify.
What has the tour's reaction been to Kwon's return?
Rothenberg reported that Kwon remains glad to be back among ATP peers who are equally pleased to see him. Fellow players know his speed can still unsettle opponents even after months divided between barracks and baseline.
For a deeper look at Kwon's journey through military service and back to competitive tennis—including Day 1 match previews from Wimbledon—Rothenberg's full Bounces dispatch at benrothenberg.com remains the authoritative starting point.