Smashing the racket and refusing to shake hands... "Kwon Soon-woo lost both manners and the game"

After Confirming Defeat, Racket Slammed on the Floor
Also Ignored Opponent's Request for a Greeting
"That's Why He Loses" Flood of Criticism

Korean tennis star Kwon Soon-woo (26, Dangjin City Hall) is facing backlash after breaking his racket and refusing to shake hands with his opponent following a loss at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Kwon Soon-woo of the South Korean tennis team is smashing his racket on the court after losing in the second round of the men's singles at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held on the 25th. [Image source=Weibo capture]

On the 25th (local time), Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) published an article titled "Korean tennis player shatters racket after defeat and refuses to shake hands with opponent," criticizing Kwon Soon-woo's behavior.

The outlet reported, "After it was confirmed that Kwon Soon-woo lost to an opponent ranked more than 500 places lower in the world rankings, he repeatedly slammed his racket hard onto the court, breaking it," adding, "He continued his actions by hitting a chair with the racket and did not stop."

He even picked up the racket again and struck the court while packing his belongings.

Furthermore, "The opponent approached Kwon Soon-woo to shake hands, but he did not even glance at him," and "The opponent ultimately had to greet only the audience," the report explained.

Kwon Soon-woo's unsportsmanlike conduct drew boos from the spectators in the stands.

Korean tennis representative Kwon Soon-woo showed behavior such as smashing his racket on the court and hitting a chair with the racket after losing in the second round of the men's singles at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held on the 25th.
[Image source=Weibo capture]

Videos of Kwon Soon-woo smashing his racket after the loss quickly spread on Chinese social media platform Weibo, garnering over 6 million views. Weibo users criticized him, saying, "Just as a pianist loves their fingers, a photographer loves their eyes, and a soldier loves their gun, a (tennis) player must love their racket. This is why he lost," and "Players who do not respect tennis like this should be banned from competition for life," according to the media.

Ranked 112th in the world, Kwon Soon-woo aimed for the gold medal in the men's singles tennis event at this Asian Games. However, on the 25th at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center in Zhejiang Province, China, he lost 1-2 (3-6, 7-5, 4-6) in the second round of men's singles to Kasidit Samrej (ranked 636, Thailand).

He had returned in August after suffering a shoulder injury in February but struggled to find form, now on a six-match losing streak since his comeback.

After losing the first set unexpectedly, he barely managed to turn the match around in the second set but conceded consecutive points early in the third set, ultimately losing the match.

Failing to advance to the men's singles round of 16, Kwon Soon-woo is now left only with the men's doubles event, where he teams up with Hong Seong-chan (26, Sejong City Hall).