Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Andro]

I am looking to start teaching in Korea later this year. Tennis is a huge hobby of mine and I have a few questions about the tennis situation in the country.

Is tennis common in Korea?

Can you find tennis courts in most major cities?
-If so, are the courts usually public or private?

I'm looking to teach in a public school and most schools stateside have tennis courts on campus. Is this common in Korea?

Thanks in advance!

[rogue123]

I can answer a little toward the Yong-In city area (i'm kinda in the sticks outside the city). A lot people play tennis here, there are courts at the universities that you can use, but as for around town I haven't seen public courts. They could be there, but I haven't seen 'em. In this area there are a couple private clubs that charge 20-30,000 Won a month, and there are plenty of people to play with. Not a lot of great players at the club I go to. Mainly 3.5-4.0, a few 4.5's, but they all come religiously.
I teach in a public school and my schools got a ghetto 'clay' (dirt) court, and I've seen some other elementary schools with that too. Don't know about middle/high schools. Judging from the amount of players at a recent tournament, there's got to be public courts around. And much better players around in Seoul, etc.
Where'd you grow up? Never had a school with tennis courts. Depending on where you're at when u get here, we should meet up and hit a few.......

[Andro]

Man, this is weird. I just got a public school offer in Yong-In city and I'm considering taking it if the location is decent. I still haven't received the address of the place from my recruiter, but apparently "they want me."

I grew up in Florida and while not everyone plays tennis here, a lot of the stars come to Florida to practice in the off-season. Maybe there's some wishful thinking going on by the school board.

I lol'd when I heard 'dirt courts.' Thanks for all the info, I'd certainly be up for playing if I end up in Yong-In.

[jonpurdy]

My school was built two years ago and it's got a nice non-dirt bouncy surface. I play almost every day when it's nice out. Absolutely love it and totally lucked out.

[The Goalie]

My school has clay courts. They're wonderfully good to play on and you can ask the good people in Europe if they think that clay = ghetto (think Roland Garros, Italian Open...). Sliding into a slice backhand drop shot is pure poetry. My main beef with tennis culture in Korea is that they're hooked on doubles. It's hard to find a scenario in which you can get regular singles action. By all means, though, bring your racquet and you'll be sure to find something. Koreans love their sports.

[rogue123]

wonderfully cracked me up. clay definitely is a dream to play on. 1) gotta be real clay 2) gotta be watered/maintained. that's why it was funny when the VP called the court 'clay', cause it's dirt. like add fertilizer and water = begonias = wonderfully ghet. tho amen to roland garros and poetry-in-motion, etc. we all don't get that among the farms.
this guy is right about the doubles obsession here. singles matches are far and few.
when you get out here and anybody else who reads this and is decent and wants to play some singles, hit me up: simplyduende (at) gmail
can/will do seoul on the weekends

[dalem]

i'm in seoul, in haebangcheon. Anyone know where the nearest courts are?

[KevinLS]

I'm in Bundang, near Ori. There are tennis courts right next to my apartment. A km or two down the river there are also some public courts in the park area that lines the river. I've noticed no shortage of courts around.

[toonchoon]

there's a shortage in the big city, and a lot of places charge an arm and a leg to play there. but some uni.s have courts and that's nice. always packed though.

[suiekou45]