Swiss brothers Michael and Tim Zoller take a break during the tournament.

By Philip Iglauer

Mix an international tennis tournament together with the diplomatic community in Seoul, and what do you get ― A Foreign Service family affair.

Two teams in particular at The Korea Times 8th Annual Diplomatic Tennis Championships transformed the all-day competition at the Grand Hyatt hotel’s tennis courts into an event for the whole family, Saturday.

Michael Zoller, a commercial secretary at the Swiss Embassy here, participated with his brother, Tim, who was visiting “The Land of Morning Calm” for 10 days from their hometown of St. Gall.

They showcased brotherly camaraderie and team spirit by sporting Switzerland’s national colors in matching t-shirts emblazoned the signature Swiss white cross. Tim returned home today.

A mother-son duo underlined what The Times’ tennis tournament is all about.

Max Kral, 10, and mom Kaori Kral pulled out all the stops representing the U.S. embassy as they vied with 15 other teams, and proved Foreign Service family fun trumps a warm Saturday trumps everything.

Kaori is the wife of Alexei Kral, who will soon join the public affairs section at the U.S. embassy after completing language training here. The family arrived in Korea very recently and already extended hands of friendship much appreciated in the foreign diplomatic community in Seoul.