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General First nameMichael
LastnameChang
GenderMale
CountryUnited States of America
Date of birth1972-02-22
Place of birthHoboken, United States of America


About

Former American tennis player. As a member of the “Greatest Generation” of American players that included Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier, Chang was the first of that illustrious group to record a victory at a Grand Slam event.
He became the youngest male player to win a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17 years and 4 months.

Industrious, ambitious, unwavering and purposeful, Chang went on to reach the finals of the Australian Open and U.S. Open, as well as reaching the title round once more at Roland Garros. No one is his era had a larger heart.

He won the USTA Boys 18s Hardcourts and the Boys 18s Nationals in 1987. At age 12, won the USTA Junior Hard Court singles, and the Fiesta Bowl 16s at age 13. Named ATP Newcomer of the Year in 1988.

Known for his on-court speed and fighting spirit, Chang is considered by many observers to have been one of the best defensive baseliners of all time. He also introduced the jumping two-handed backhand. He remained in the top 10 of the ATP world rankings for several years in the 1990s, peaking at World No. 2 in September 1996.

Chang was born in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1972 to Joe and Betty (née Tung). Betty and Joe moved from Taiwan to the US in 1959 and 1966 respectively. The parents met in the United States after being introduced by a mutual friend.
Betty was born in Delhi, India as the daughter of Michael Tung, then serving as diplomat of The Republic of China to India. Michael then served in the Legislative Yuan and was an Ambassador to Cambodia and Dominic Republic/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among other diplomatic posts in 1960s to 1980s.
Joe was born in Chaozhou, China, and moved to Taiwan at age seven. Michael's Chinese name was chosen by Joe, and his English name by Betty (who named him after her father).

After moving from Hoboken, New Jersey, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Michael learned tennis, the Changs moved to first Placentia, California, and then Encinitas, California, to increase the tennis opportunities for Michael and his older brother, Carl. After rising to #163 in the world as a 15-year-old amateur, Chang dropped out of tenth grade at San Dieguito High School in Encinitas after passing his GED in February 1988 in order to pursue a professional tennis career.

Chang also attended the master's in ministry program at Biola University in La Mirada, California, for a year and half. He serves on Biola's Board of Trustees.

A devout Christian, Chang first spotlit his faith upon winning the 1989 French Open, declaring "I thank the Lord Jesus Christ, because without Him, I am nothing.
In 1999 Chang and his family established the Chang Family Foundation, dedicated to integrating tennis, family, and Christian faith. The Foundation is now based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Chang lives in Orange County, California. He is an avid fisherman who often takes fishing trips while traveling. He also has a passion for breeding African cichlids in several large freshwater aquariums at his home.
On October 18, 2008, Chang married Amber Liu, also a professional tennis player, who is 12 years younger than him. They have one daughter, Lani (born December 9, 2010).

One of his passions is to breed African cichilds in several fresh-water aquariums he has set up in his home in Mercer Island, Wash. His largest aquarium is 240 gallons, eight-feet long by two-feet high.

Supports grassroots tennis development in Asia through his Stars of the Future program in Hong Kong and the Reebok Challenge across all of Asia. Michael is a national spokesperson for the National Fish & Wildlife Federation. One of five athletes named in the second annual Most Caring Athlete by USA TODAY Weekend in 1995. Earned one of seven Asian American leadership awards in May 1997 by A. Magazine for status as a role model for Asian American youth.

On May 3, 2009, Chang was honored by the Los Angeles Chinese Historical Society of Southern California in "Celebrating Taiwanese Americans in Sports".

Released a book about his career in summer 2002, "Holding Serve: Persevering On and Off the Court";
Coached by older brother, Carl (born Feb. 13, 1969), who began working with Michael in late July 1991 (the two have played doubles together in 17 ATP stops since 1990).

Chang was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008.

Media


Archive statistics Career1987 - 2000
Tournament wins5
Matches132
Match wins88


Tournament wins 1998 - US Pro Championships (Professional)
1997 - Indian Wells (ATP)
1996 - Indian Wells (ATP)
1992 - Indian Wells (ATP)
1989 - Roland Garros (Grandslam)


Tournaments Wimbledon - 2000 US Open - 2000 Auckland - 2000 Paris Masters - 1999 Wimbledon - 1998 Australian Open - 1997 Wimbledon - 1997 Roland Garros - 1997 US Open - 1997 Canadian International Championships - 1997 Indian Wells - 1997 Australian Open - 1996 Wimbledon - 1996 US Open - 1996 Indian Wells - 1996 Australian Open - 1995 Wimbledon - 1995 Roland Garros - 1995 US Open - 1995 ATP World Tour Finals - 1995 Wimbledon - 1994 US Open - 1994 Australian Open - 1993 Wimbledon - 1993 Roland Garros - 1993 US Open - 1993 Australian Open - 1992 Wimbledon - 1992 Roland Garros - 1992 US Open - 1992 Indian Wells - 1992 Grand slam cup - 1992 Wimbledon - 1991 Roland Garros - 1991 US Open - 1991 Hong Kong Open - 1991 Grand slam cup - 1991 Wimbledon - 1990 Roland Garros - 1990 US Open - 1990 Wimbledon - 1989 Roland Garros - 1989 US Open - 1989 Antwerpen - 1989 Wimbledon - 1988 Roland Garros - 1988 US Open - 1988 US Open - 1987