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Interview with Michael Chang for Tennis Week

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#1 ·
The Tennis Week Interview: Michael Chang
By Richard Pagliaro
Thursday, July 10, 2008


Michael Chang will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Faith has always been the fuel that powered Michael Chang to reach remarkable heights.

In 1989, Chang burst onto the Grand Slam scene playing the starring role in tennis' David vs. Goliath saga staged on the red clay of Roland Garros. In a memorable fourth-round match against Ivan Lendl, Chang fought off crippling cramps and a powerful opponent with a memorable underhanded serve, he now describes as the stone that helped slay Goliath.

In a stunning upset, Chang beat Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 then proceeded to overcome a derisive French crowd and a determined Stefan Edberg in the final with a historic 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory that made him the youngest Grand Slam champion at 17 years, three months. The counter-puncher had knocked out champions with an inspiring series of victories.

The 36-year-old Chang, one of only three American men to capture the French Open singles title in the Open Era, IMG founder Mark McCormack and Tennis Week founder and publisher Eugene L. Scott, lead the International Tennis Hall of Fame's Class of 2008. The trio will be inducted into the Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Hall of Famer John McEnroe will induct Scott, his former doubles partner. Michael Chang will be inducted by his brother and former coach, Carl Chang. Grand Slam champion Monica Seles will induct McCormack. As part of the ceremony, the role of the presenter is to introduce the new inductee by giving a formal speech, focusing on personal attributes and the professional career of the individual.

McCormack, a legendary sports executive who essentially invented sports marketing management in founding International Management Group (IMG), and Scott, a former 11th-ranked player and the founder and publisher of Tennis Week, were both elected posthumously in the contributor category.

"It is truly an honor to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame," Chang said. "It has been an incredible privilege to compete against the best players in the world for over 16 years and I will always cherish and forever remember my experiences on tour with my family, friends and fans. This recognition is without question a testimony of dedication, faith, strength of family, and most importantly, God's love."

The Class of 2008 Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in Newport, Rhode Island in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Since its establishment in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame now honors 207 people representing 18 countries (inclusive of the class of 2008).

"In every aspect of Michael's life he is a thorough and thoughtful professional," Hall of Famer and Chang's long-time rival Jim Courier told Tennis Week. "There is the overt skill and athleticism he brings to the tennis court which we can all see but what is every bit as strong in Michael is his conviction both on and off the court."

Chang was the first of his generation of that accomplished class of American Grand Slam champions — that included Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier — to win a Grand Slam. Courier told Tennis Week Chang's triumph in Paris was a pivotal moment for all four of the rivals: Chang's unwaveringly strong sense of self-belief, conviction and commitment to the cause cascaded to Courier, who would realize his own major dream in Paris by claiming consecutive French Open championships, the first coming two years after Chang's title triumph.

"Michael took the lid off of the jar, at least for me, by going the distance in Paris," Courier told Tennis Week. "I looked around and realized that my dreams were within reach and that new found belief helped me get there. I would think Pete probably felt the same way. Andre was 'closer to the basket' at that time so he may have already realized the big goals were within his grasp before I did."

The first time Chang met Andre Agassi on court, the future No. 1 unleashed an underhanded serve with such severe sidespin it slid four feet off the court after landing in the service box. The seeds of the rivarly were planted in their first junior match in 1982. They would play 22 times during the professional career with Agassi winning 15 of 22 meetings and Chang gaining won the eight-time Grand Slam champion's respect for his resolute commitment to competition.

"He's as good a competitor as you'll ever see," Agassi said of Chang.

While his compatriots would surpass him both in the rankings and in their Grand Slam achievements, Chang believes they each brought out the best in each other.

"We've been able to inspire each other, and help each other play better tennis," Chang said. "When we played each other, there was an added adrenaline, an added focus, an added atmosphere from the people. I think we've inspired each other, we bring out the best in each other in many ways. It's been great to have those rivalries throughout the juniors, the pros… to be able to go to each other now and look in each others eyes and say 'it's been a lot of fun' is really special."

A player so small in stature, he was initially mistaken for a ball boy, Chang compensated for his small size with a huge heart, powerful legs that propelled him around the court with all the determination of a lifeguard desperately pursuing a trouble swimmer and fierce, fighting spirit that made him tennis' most tenacious player.

Chang, who currently spends his time coaching, commentating and helping oversee the Chang Family Foundation, shares his story of faith, family and the desire to succeed that fueled his remarkable run from his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey to his crowning achievement at the 1989 French Open to his runner-up finishes at the 1996 Australian Open and U.S. Open when he reached a career-high rank of No. 2.


In this interview with Tennis Week, Chang discusses his career in tennis, and the role his family and faith have played in his success.

Tennis Week: What did you learn about yourself through your career in tennis?

Michael Chang: I really felt like I've experienced a lot on the tour and tennis has been a great learning ground for me. It's a great place to grow as a person. Tennis has really taught me a lot about life, a lot about success and a lot about failure. You learn a lot about yourself and about people. I've been able to look back on some of the matches I've played and realize that 'Hey, life is an adventure.' There are going to be up times and down times and I've wanted to share with people some of the difficulties I've had, as well as the good times and my faith and growing up.

Tennis Week: Were there any aspects of your personality or game that you felt were misunderstood during your career?

Michael Chang: I don't think I really felt I've been misunderstood, but maybe people don't understand me to the depth of how I really am as a person. I think, generally speaking, people understand who I am on and off the court. But maybe they don't have a total grasp of the intricacies of my family and the sacrifices my parents had to make just because they loved us — not because they wanted me to be a professional tennis player or anything — but because they loved us. When you're able to share a little bit about your struggles, then people start to see a different side of you. When you go through difficult times it's never easy to share that. People need to understand that we all go through that and that professional athletes and famous people aren't immune to that. That's the way life is. For me, I emphasize a lot of having a sound foundation with the Lord. For me and my family that's what's kept us grounded through successes and difficult times.

Tennis Week: Were there any profound spiritual moments in your life particularly important to you?

Michael Chang: I've always felt like (winning) the French Open is something that had God's hand on it. In the past years, my grandparents had been in a very serious car accident. My grandfather was driving to the hospital and was driving about 70 miles an hour. For some reason, either he fell asleep or passed out, he crossed over three lanes and went into one of those cement drainages that was about 40 feet down. They landed upside down and people on the scene looked at the car and said: 'They're probably not going to make it.' All the paramedics and firemen came and took them out. My grandmother had broken ribs and my grandfather had some pretty serious injuries, but the fact that they were able to survive and are still doing well right now is a reminder that life is held in bigger hands. And I think partly that's what makes life interesting and at the same time helps you to put things into the proper perspective.

Tennis Week: When you won the French Open at the age of 17 in 1989 it was seen as such a David vs. Goliath victory. What were the emotions you felt at that time and how do you feel about it looking back now?

Michael Chang: I think I appreciate it a lot more now then back when I was 17 years old. I think one of the good things about being 17 years old is maybe you don't quite grasp what is taking place when it happens. You just love being out there. People said: 'Well, if you win this match you're going to be the youngest Grand Slam champion.' And you're like: 'Oh yeah, that sounds cool!' But it doesn't really grasp you. Obviously, if something were to happen like that now, you'd be like: 'Wow!' You'd start to get nervous. Obviously, you're very excited to win a Grand Slam event at such a young age, but at the same time I don't think you can really understand the significance of what has taken place until you get a little older and can appreciate it.

Tennis Week: Does Paris still have a special place in your heart and what sort of response do you get from people there when you go back?

Michael Chang: Paris will always be special for me. Paris will always be special for me. I've gotten to know the French people a lot better and for them getting to know me as a person as been a bit of a rollercoaster, but it's always been a great feeling to go back. I'm really welcomed with open arms. People come out and say a lot of encouraging words and supported me when I played and it makes playing there that much more fun and that much more exciting. I always look forward to going back.

Tennis Week: In your book, you discuss your first junior match with Andre Agassi and how you used to play doubles with Pete Sampras. Of all the rivalries you've had in your career, which one is the most meaningful and special to you?

Michael Chang: I've really enjoyed the rivalries I've had with the American players: with Pete, Andre and Jim (Courier). It's special because we go back such a long ways. I've known Pete since we were 8-years-old, I've known Andre since I was 10 and Jim since I was 13. I think what makes it so special is that we not only have competed for so many years on the junior circuit, but to see each other do so well professionally has been great. I really feel like it's been an honor for me to be a part of this generation. I think the other guys would feel the same too. I mean, to play in this generation and to have the opportunity to play in the McEnroe-Connors generation and the Edberg-Becker generation and to have the opportunity to play against he new players, I don't if timing could be any better than that.

Tennis Week: You've always been known as a spiritual person and as a kind person. Did any opponent ever mistake that kindness for weakness and try to intimidate you on the court?

Michael Chang: Definitely certain players would try to instill a little bit of fear in you and intimidate you. But when you compete at this level, you know that's a common thing. A guy like Thomas Muster, he won a lot of matches by intimidation. But I think for me, my mentality has always been one to go out and fight. So it's funny if I were to go out and play someone who was trying to be intimidating, then it would add extra fuel to the fight, you know? So when I was playing a guy like Thomas Muster or a guy like Jim (Courier), who was trying to take it to me, it added extra adrenaline. I don't know if my body would just say: 'Look, this guy is really up for this match and you've got to get yourself even more excited for this match.' So that made it easier for me to go out and fight because you know the best way to fight is to fight head on. In certain aspects, it's fun. That's all what competition is about. That's what makes being out there on the tennis court so great.

Tennis Week: How were you able to maintain the intensity level to fight so hard match after match without becoming emotionally and mentally drained?

Michael Chang: I never feel like it's something I have to maintain. More or less, it's a desire: it's a desire to give your best and to want to win. I think you learn through the years the match is never over until the last point is done. I've had matches where I've been able to come back and win and then times when I've been up and guys have come back and beaten me. The only way of changing a match is if you yourself make the effort to change it. It may not happen, but you know that opportunity and that hope is still there as long as the match is still going.

Tennis Week: Many people compared Lleyton Hewitt to you in terms of the style, speed and spirit you share. Do you see any similarities and are you friendly with Hewitt?

Michael Chang: I actually get along pretty well with Lleyton. I can't say we sit down and talk a whole lot, but we're pretty cordial and pretty friendly to each other. We've practiced on a few occasions.In certain aspects I think we are similar. I would say Lleyton is probably a little bit more more emotional than I am. He will tend to show his excitement, yes, but he will also show his frustration a little bit more so than I would. But like you said, he is a great competitor, he has a great heart and he loves to play and that's one of the reasons why he is where he is today. I think looking at his game, he has a few more tools than I had when I was his age. He's got a better serve and better volleys than I had at that age. Movement, I would say, is comparable and groundstrokes are comparable. It's nice to see someone of his size and stature be able to excel in today's tennis.

Tennis Week: Do you think Agassi and Hewitt will go down as the last men under six-feet-tall to be No. 1 or do you think that players shorter than six-feet will always be able to contend at the top of tennis?

Michael Chang: I really don't see very many players who are under six-feet now so I really don't know. I think there are going to be players in the future who do very, very well under six feet. Someone is always going to find a way. But if you're looking at the majority of the players that are going to dominant the sport in the top 10 or top 20 I don't think you're ever going to see more guys at the top who are less than six-feet tall than guys taller than that. I just don't think it's possible. The average guy in the top 100 is probably six-feet-two and that's the average height.

Tennis Week: Jimmy Connors once told us that no player reminds him of himself, but that you and Monica Seles came closest to capturing his spirit, tenacity and intensity on the court. When you were growing up, what players inspired you?

Michael Chang: I really admire certain players for certain qualities. I admired John McEnroe for his talent. I admired Jimmy Connors for his never-say-die attitude. I admired Lendl for his hard work. I admired Borg for the way he would approach matches and how he handled pressure. He was always very stoic and very calm no matter how much pressure he was under and I admired that in him. I think what I've tried to do is to take the best of each person and take those positive attributes and apply it to myself and my own game. They've all been a great inspiration to me.

Tennis Week: What gives you the greatest joy in tennis and what gives you the greatest joy outside of tennis?

Michael Chang: On the court winning is something that everybody enjoys. But there are times I just loved being in the heat of battle. I've had times walking off the court and have felt really great about a match because I'll think: 'Wow, that was fun to be a part of. That was fun to have the crowd go as nuts as they did.' To experience the intensity of the match is something you can't really describe, but it's special inside. Even if I lost I could still feel good about it. You just love those kinds of moments. One of the greatest feelings in the world is when you're playing a tight match and you hit an unbelievable shot and the crowd goes absolutely nuts and you scream at the top of your lungs, but the crowd is so loud you can't even hear yourself screaming. That's awesome.

Tennis Week: What do you want people to understand about you?

Michael Chang: If I were to sum it up, I wanted to give people a glimpse into my life more than what they see on the tennis court. Obviously, my faith and hope in the Lord is very, very important. Also, just to know in life we all have our ups and downs. And everyone can handle the ups, but it's a matter of how you handle the downs that's important. Realize that sometimes the downs are not always that bad and in the long run maybe those downs help you mature as a person, help you grow in character and at the same time, kind of train you and strengthen you for bigger and better things that may come along your way in the future. I think it's important in this day and age that people not be afraid to pick themselves back up and try again. Sometimes success doesn't come on the first try or second try, but it may come on the third, fourth, fifth or 10th try. The family aspect is important to me. People are created to be loved and to love and that's important in life.

Source: http://www.tennisweek.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6613630
 
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#2 ·
Great article, thanks for posting. Can't believe they didn't ask him if the Wimby final was the greatest match he'd ever seen..

WTF is that about..:scratch:

Chang is a class guy and I have missed him.. I heard Mac say they thought he was going to play some on the Outback Champions Tour. I hope so, that would be awesome.
 
#4 ·
God is something within urself. Not something supernatural like everybody thinks he is. Stop using "love of God" as an excuse to shit especially TENNIS(lol). Numerous people misunderstand the true meaning behind a religion especially the Christian nowadays. Go to church, what does the father priests say all the time? IN THE NAME OF GOD BLA BLA BLA GOD WILL LOOK UPON YOU BLA BLA BLA... wtf? Behind the truth of every religion there has always only been one ultimate goal: Be a good person and seek the God within yourself.
 
#14 ·
No, God is not something within yourself. I was raised catholic and was an altar boy, so I need no religious education. I became an atheist due to the absurdity of it all.

If you think that these people don't believe an omnipotent deity exists, you're way off. It's fundamental to all monotheistic religions. They also believe in heaven and hell, the genesis story (trying to get evolution out of the class room). Basically, they believe someone up in the sky listens to their prayers and answers them.

I really don't want to turn this into a religious debate, but it just bugs me when athletes thank God. There are better ways for a supreme being to help the world. Aiding someone in the decathlon is not one of them.
 
#6 ·
i think he is not gay, just not too interested about women, he loves tennis and god more :wavey:
 
#12 ·
It surprises me how worked up people get over Michael Chang's expressions of faith. Chang's beliefs are simply an integral part of who he is as a person.

Plus, unlike some celebrities/athletes who discuss their faith, Chang actually seems to walk the walk. I cannot remember reading anything about untoward behavior by him on or off the court during his entire playing career.
 
#13 ·
People are free to express their faith. I just wish they would stop thanking God, as though he was integral to their success.

I just thinks it's naive and childish. If there exists a God, which I'm 99.9999% sure there doesn't, he/she clearly does not interfere in human affairs. I find it insulting that someone thanks their invisible friend for winning a 100m gold medal, not considering important issues that their God saw fit to ignore.
 
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#17 ·
yeah... most of my mates hate it when successful athletes thank god... i think they hated it cos to them it was the overt suggestion that god appreciated them more when it came to the crunch... :lol: ... honestly tho, if its not the god talk, then, it would just be other ultra boring cliche'd sh!te...

chang was an icon for the smaller guys tho... so many coaches i once knew would refer to chang when trying to get their message across to young players less well blessed physically speaking...
 
#22 ·
You have this idealistic view of things. "I can't change it, so it doesn't bother me".

It's naive and unrealistic. You're not a robot. You can't just suddenly be indifferent about something just because you can't change it.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. Apologies if you felt I was insulting you. I just disagree with what you're saying.
 
#25 · (Edited)
what are the criteria or the minimum standar for consideration to the Hall of fame?
Ranked # 1?
Winner of one or more Slams?
Won many titles?
Reached slam finals?
French open winner?
 
#26 ·
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