Suh Hyo Won Retires: Table Tennis Legend’s Farewell
- After more than 20 years at the top, Suh Hyo Won, the Republic of Korea's defensive table tennis star, announced her retirement Friday.
- Suh's elegant style and tactical brilliance earned her admiration worldwide.
- Her peak years included three ITTF World Tour singles titles: the Korea Open and Polish Open in 2013, and the Belgium Open in 2015.
Suh Hyo Won, a true table tennis legend, retires after two decades, leaving a important void in the sport. Known for her defensive prowess, Suh reached World No.8, captivating fans globally with her strategic brilliance and elegant style. Her career highlights include three ITTF World Tour titles and participation in Ping Pong Diplomacy, embodying the unifying power of sports. News Directory 3 recognizes Suh’s enduring legacy and contributions. Explore the impact of her retirement on the future of table tennis and discover what’s next for this iconic player.
Suh Hyo Won Retires, Ending Illustrious Table Tennis Career
Updated June 09, 2025
After more than 20 years at the top, Suh Hyo Won, the Republic of Korea’s defensive table tennis star, announced her retirement Friday. The 38-year-old’s career saw her become one of the sport’s moast respected figures.
Suh’s elegant style and tactical brilliance earned her admiration worldwide. Her quick footwork and ability to retrieve arduous shots redefined defensive table tennis. She spent 52 weeks among the world’s top 10,reaching a career-high No. 8 in January 2015.
Her peak years included three ITTF World Tour singles titles: the Korea Open and Polish Open in 2013, and the Belgium Open in 2015. The Polish Open triumph highlighted her ability to outmaneuver top players.
Suh also reached the final at the 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, defeating several top players. Her matches became must-watch events, including a comeback victory against Japan’s Saki shibata at the 2018 Korea Open.
Beyond individual success, Suh contributed to the Republic of Korea’s team achievements, including a bronze at the 2019 ITTF Team World Cup and a silver at the 2024 ITTF Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu.
Suh’s participation in the Ping Pong Diplomacy project, partnering with DPR Korea’s Kim Song I, showcased sport’s unifying power. Their partnership began at the 2018 ITTF World tour Platinum Shinhan Korea Open in Daejeon, where they won their first match despite limited practice.
Suh competed in over 170 events, winning 314 of 530 matches. She remained in the world’s top 100 for over 15 years after first breaking in June 2009.
Her final appearance was at the ITTF World Championships Finals 2025 in doha, reaching the round of 32. Weeks earlier,she competed at the ITTF World Cup in Macao.
What’s next
suh Hyo Won’s retirement marks the end of an era. Her influence on the next generation of table tennis players, especially in defensive play, will be felt for years to come.