From No. 1 squash player to tennis national champion, Chris Jung embraces new sport

Many individuals have interesting stories of how they started — or came back to — playing tennis. For Chris Jung, early exposure to the sport eventually led him to another racquet sport entirely.

Jung started taking tennis lessons in the spring and summer as a kid, but he recounted it was always more of a social thing for him. His true passion, squash, has been a part of his life since he was 6.

“I grew up in Seattle and sort of landed in the sport randomly,” he said. “My parents never played but enrolled me in group lessons at their gym as a convenient form of childcare while they got a workout in.”

Jung played in his first squash tournament at 7 years old. By age 12, he was ranked No. 1 in the country.

He remained in the top three throughout his junior career, and he represented the U.S. at the Junior World Championships when he was 18. Jung’s consistently high rankings at that age were no fluke; it was the result of dedication and discipline.

“I trained pretty much every day and was traveling for tournaments many weekends during the season, often going to the East Coast and back in a weekend filled with hotels and sweaty, stress-filled racquet clubs,” he said. “In other words, my parents deserve medals of honor for their constant support throughout it all, as any parent involved with high-level athletics do.”

Squash to Tennis

After an incredible junior career, Jung played on the varsity squash team at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. After college he continued playing in tournaments, though much more casually than in his youth. He still has much love for the sport and credits it for many of the positives he’s experienced thus far in his life.

“Squash was a singular focus for much of my young adulthood,” Jung said. “It’s also been an incredible source of identity, life lessons, social and career outlets. This is part of what makes sport so amazing, right?”

So, why did the champion squash player decide to give tennis another chance?

“Largely by happenstance,” he said. “My wife and I moved to Kansas City at the beginning of last year for her to complete a one-year medical fellowship following residency. We came to KC with few connections or expectations.

“Squash, which has always been a fast source of connection and friendships, is unfortunately not a big sport in the Midwest. So, I did what anyone in my situation would do: pivot to the next-of-kin racquet sport.”

The couple’s rental home happened to be just down the street from Woodside Racquet Club. Curious, Jung said he participated in a few “super casual” group tennis clinics, and he found a new and welcoming community.

“I think they saw someone with perhaps unconventional technique but clear aptitude for ball striking and quickly welcomed me into their practice groups and league teams,” he said. “Suddenly, I had 10 people I could text to play on any given day. Having people to run around a court with was just as meaningful to me as having people to connect with and eventually count on as friends.”