Hyeon Chung gains superstar status back home in South Korea, and he’s loving every second

SOUTH Korea’s newest sporting superstar Hyeon Chung is a sensation back home, can’t walk more than 15 metres in Melbourne and is set for a huge rankings surge. He’s loving every second of his new found status.

TOPSHOT - South Korea's Hyeon Chung celebrates beating Tennys Sandgren of the US in their men's singles quarter-finals match on day 10 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

HYEON Chung is getting hit up for photos “every 15 metres” and his Instagram follower count has skyrocketed.

And he loves it.

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The Korean is a sensation back home – on the front of every newspaper in town.

But he’s not letting it affect his game ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final clash with none other than Roger Federer, his coach says.

“He just loves the environment,” Neville Godwin said.

“It’s pretty exciting for him and he’s a youngster … it’s really great how he’s allowing his character and his personality to come out.

South Korea's Hyeon Chung celebrates beating Tennys Sandgren

“He’s got a fantastic sense of humour and he’s becoming more confident in his English. He’s endearing himself.

“He’s smiling a lot, is a great character and is a super-nice kid. He’s loving that his Instagram followers are getting up every single day.”

For the record, Chung’s follower count is about to crack 70,000, having started the tournament below 10,000.

Godwin has encouraged his charge to embrace the attention.

It’s safe to say that Chung-mania has hit South Korea since he toppled idol and former world No. 1 Noval Djokovic in the fourth round.

“From what I’ve heard, it’s blowing up in Korea pretty big,” Godwin smiled.

“The day after the Djokovic match, he as front page of every single Korean newspaper. And deservedly so.”

Kim Young-mi, mother of South Korea's Chung Hyeon

There’s been plenty of sponsor interest, too, for the university student.

Team Chung headed to Chinatown for dinner a few nights ago, Godwin said, with the world No. 58 “stopped every 15 metres for pictures” before his team gave up trying to wait for him.

“It’s crazy,” Godwin recalled.

“We said ‘we’ll see you back at the hotel’ and when he got back, he walks in and says ‘home sweet home’. That’s typical Hyeon.”

The glasses always stay on – albeit the Korean switching to a different pair when not playing – as he’s not comfortable wearing contacts. Godwin tried them on once, and said he couldn’t believe the strength of the prescription.

“I had an instant headache,” he laughed.

“It should come with some medication on the side of the glasses for anyone they’re not prescribed for.”

Godwin – who previously coached Kevin Anderson - admitted that preparing to play Roger Federer can be a difficult task, conceding that at times while with Anderson, the Swiss master “outtalented us … which he tends to do”.

“(You have to) really focus on your own stuff. If you focus on what Roger’s going to do, it’s not going to be very fun,” he said.

“He’s got so much skill, so much talent and he’s been in this situation so many times that it’s really about keeping things very simple and control what you can do.”

There’ll be just one simple message from coach to player as Chung prepares to take the court tomorrow.

“Have fun,” Godwin said.

“And enjoy it.”