As the South Korean men’s national tennis team prepares for a bid to reach the Davis Cup Finals 8, players and coaching staff have made it clear they will not let a slower court surface dictate their tempo, opting instead for a powerful, aggressive style of play according to reports from the tournament site.
The squad gathered on Feb. 17 at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, Seoul, for the official draw ceremony and press conference ahead of their 2026 Davis Cup Qualifier second-round tie against India. Action gets underway on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. local time (UTC+9) on the center court of the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, featuring two opening singles matches. Play resumes on Feb. 19 at noon with the doubles rubber, followed by up to two reverse singles if required. The first nation to secure three victories advances to the world quarterfinals.
A victory over India would mark a milestone for South Korean tennis. Since first entering the Davis Cup in 1960, the country has never reached the final eight. A successful weekend in Seoul would end a 66-year wait for the program.
The primary tactical talking point ahead of the tie centers on the venue itself. The Olympic Park center court recently underwent a major renovation for the first time in roughly 40 years since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, featuring newly replaced seating for approximately 9,000 spectators and a newly resurfaced court. After testing the grounds, members of the South Korean team noted that the surface plays noticeably slower, producing less ball speed than anticipated. Rather than retreating into a defensive posture, however, the team intends to use aggressive tactics to force the issue.
Kwon Soon-woo (ranked No. 150 representing the Chungnam Athletic Council) stated during the press conference that most tour-level courts he encounters are on the slower side. Kwon indicated that his playing style would not undergo dramatic changes, adding that he plans to press the attack. In the opening singles match scheduled for Feb. 18, Kwon will face India’s Dakshineswar Suresh (ranked No. 368).
Head coach Jung Jong-sam emphasized the significance of the opening match in dictating the momentum of the entire tie. Noting that Jeong Hyeon had previously taken the court first in past ties, Jung pointed out that handing the opening assignment to Kwon could establish an early, positive rhythm for the team.
Jeong Hyeon (ranked No. 567 representing the Gimpo City Hall), assigned to the second singles match against Sumit Nagal (ranked No. 236), acknowledged the sluggish nature of the surface but dismissed it as a major obstacle. Jeong described Nagal as a relentless competitor who moves exceptionally well and plays tight tennis, adding that he is prepared to match that high-energy movement on the court.
Aggression remains the guiding philosophy for the doubles rubber as well. South Korea is set to field the pairing of Nam Ji-sung (Dangjin City Hall, ranked No. 125 in doubles) and Park Ui-sung (Daegu City Hall, ranked No. 334 in doubles) on Feb. 19. Nam explained that the pair plans to track the ball a fraction later while maintaining a proactive mindset, leveraging net play as a core strength. Park echoed that sentiment, noting that the slow surface demands careful planning around returns and service games while committing to powerful, forward-moving baseline play.
In the latest Davis Cup nation rankings, South Korea sits at No. 16, while India occupies the No. 19 spot. Although South Korea holds a narrow 6–5 edge in the historical head-to-head record against India, the visitors won the most recent meetings in 2014 and 2016. Playing on home soil offers the hosts an opportunity to secure redemption alongside a spot in the final eight. Kwon expressed his excitement at the prospect, noting that reaching the finals stage is something he has previously only watched on screen, and describing the honor of wearing the national flag among just eight elite nations as a privilege.
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