South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon has been named the most improved player around the world this year.
 
The ATP World Tour, the world governing body of tennis, said on its Web site Wednesday that it had awarded Most Improved Player of the Year to the 19-year-old South Korean.
 
It is the first time a South Korean has won the award since its establishment in 1973.
 
Chung’s global ranking climbed rapidly from 173 at the end of last year to 51, thanks in part to his four Challenger-level titles and a quarterfinal performance at a Tour-level competition.
 
Many top players in men’s tennis have received the same award in their early careers, including John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.