The Great Wall of China, forged in the United States. In Tennis, there were two things considered close to impossible at that time. One, break Pete Sampras’s stronghold on Wimbledon. Second, get a Tennis ball past Michael Chang. The American’s court coverage as well as his return of serve was considered phenomenal in those days. His springboard serve used to be accurate but the ability to hit a ball from any angle and from any part of the court is what made Chang phenomenal. His record against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras was always second-best but he had some great moments against both of them.
Chang only managed to win one Grand Slam in his entire life. But, it came at a time when he was already touted as one of the best young talents in the world of Tennis. From a very young age, Chang was Asia’s Greatest Tennis hope despite playing for the USA.
Born on February 22, 1972, at Hoboken, Chang’s parents encouraged him to play Tennis at a young age. He was a baseline player with a strong double-handed backhand. A springboard-like right-handed serve ensured that he had good accuracy. But, it was his speed and agility on the court that proved to be sublime. His coverage meant that opponents had to work harder to get a point when they were playing Chang.
By the age of 12 and 13, Michael Chang was creating waves on the domestic and international circuit by winning tournaments. At the age of 16 years and seven months, Chang had already reached the semi-final in Scottsdale, Arizona. But, in 1988, Chang became the youngest winner of a tournament when he won in San Francisco.
But, in 1989, he created history as a 17-year-old. During the French Open, he overcame the-then world number one, Ivan Lendl, in five tough sets in the fourth round. It was sweet revenge for Chang who acted on Lendl’s advice after beating him in an exhibition match in Des Moines, Iowa. Apparently, Lendl had advised Chang that he had no serve as well as a second serve.
In that match, Chang was suffering from severe leg cramps and wanted to give up. But, he continued with the pain. He used several tactics that unnerved Lendl. He hit moon balls, that is high lobs to the backcourt and also employed the underhand service. After four hours and 37 minutes, Chang had finally achieved his goal.
His magical run saw him enter the final where he was playing Stefan Edberg. The match went into five sets, with Edberg poised to take the title. But, Chang put up a magnificent performance and won the match to become the youngest winner of a Grand Slam at the age of 17.
By the end of the year, Chang became the youngest player to enter the top five. But, the French Open win came at a time when the crackdown on pro-democracy activists was taking place in China in Tiananmen Square. The massacre was a dark day in the history of China’s Republic. Chang would remark later, “A lot of people forget that Tiananmen Square was going on. The crackdown that happened was on the middle Sunday at the French Open, so if I was not practicing or playing a match, I was glued to the television, watching the events unfold...I often tell people I think it was God's purpose for me to be able to win the French Open the way it was won because I was able to put a smile on Chinese people's faces around the world at a time when there wasn't much to smile about.”
After the French Open, Chang helped the USA win the Davis Cup title in 1990. But, further Grand Slam success eluded him. He lost the 1995 French Open final to Thomas Muster, the 1996 Australian Open to Boris Becker, and the 1996 US Open final to Pete Sampras. Chang retired from Tennis in 2003 and he went on to coach Kei Nishikori.
In that generation of greats, Sampras, Agassi, and Courier often dominated. But, Chang, in his own way carved his own identity and gave them stiff competition.
Australian Open: F (1996)
French Open: W (1989)
Wimbledon: QF (1994)
US Open: F (1996)
