Tennis Player and Lawyer Park Jang-ho: Skill is Key in the Sport

Park Jang-ho, a senior advisor at Yulchon Law Firm, draws a sharp distinction between golf and tennis, asserting that while golf can be played regardless of skill level, tennis demands proficiency. He explains that tennis, particularly in doubles and mixed doubles formats, necessitates a certain level of skill for participation, regardless of one's status or power. This "skill-centric culture" continuously motivates him to enhance his abilities.

Park, who has been playing tennis for 37 years since first encountering it in 1990, is currently undergoing renewed lessons to challenge skilled amateur players. His journey with tennis began when a department head at the Maritime and Port Administration, where he was assigned after passing the administrative exam, recommended it as a sport for the future. Initially, as a junior official, he mostly observed but began playing more seriously after being transferred to the Incheon Maritime and Port Administration.

His game significantly improved after a study abroad program in 2003. A coach identified the need to correct his form, leading to four months of consistent daily lessons. This period underscored the importance of fundamentals and perseverance. During his three-year tenure at the OECD headquarters in Paris, tennis served as a crucial outlet for stress, helping him cope with cultural differences and work challenges. He often played with staff from the Korean Embassy, including the ambassador who was also an avid tennis player.

Upon returning to Korea in 2010, Park continued playing, even participating in matches with the Blue House team during a period when President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik were known to be tennis enthusiasts. Since leaving public service in 2015, tennis has remained a constant in his life, involving regular games with club members and former colleagues. Currently, he is part of the JW Club, run by Joo Won-hong, president of the Korea Tennis Association, where he is intensely focused on improving his game to secure a win against the club's many skilled amateurs. He is confident that a victory is within reach soon.

Park emphasizes that tennis offers more than just physical fitness; it has positively transformed his personality, making him more outgoing and cheerful. The regularity of his tennis practice also provides structure to his life. He notes that excessive drinking negatively impacts his game, reinforcing the discipline that tennis instills.