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NEXT MAGAZINE (May 1, 1992) ‘Never Say Die -- Michael Chang’ In June 1989, a 17-year-old Chinese American boy defeated the then-world #1 Ivan Lendl & #3 Stefan Edberg at Roland Garros, en route to become the first-ever tennis player of the Chinese race to capture a Grand Slam title. His ranking rocketed to #5. Although in recent years, Michael Chang has had fair results, his ranking once dropping out of the top 20, tennis has still taken Asia by storm. Every time he comes to Hong Kong, he is always surrounded by hundreds of fans. They must take a glance at him or get an autograph before being satisfied to leave the court. He has won a few titles early this year - his ranking climbing to #6 - and it is anticipated that he will be the center of the attention during the Salem Open! On April 19th at 10:00 p.m., Chang & Todd Woodbridge played the rain-delayed semifinals in Victoria Park’s Center Court. A boy in the audience fell down on the seats because of the slippery ground. When Chang noticed the accident, he immediately rushed to the ambulance room and asked for a doctor to look at the boy’s injury. It showed his sense of care! :) In the final the next day, he was beaten by the in-form Jim Courier but still displayed his determination on court. This rainy morning, he sat quietly on the chair and talked about his tennis career, family, and Hong Kong, plus love. MC -- Michael Chang, NM -- Next Magazine ‘I started to play tennis at 6 or 7’ NM: When did you start to play tennis? MC: About 6 or 7. NM: How long did you play at that time? MC: Not too much, around 10 to 20 minutes. It’s just for fun. NM: When did you start to pick up the game seriously? MC: When I was 15 or 16, at that time I thought that maybe I could become a professional tennis player. (Is it your choice?) Yes, of course. NM: When you decided to turn pro, was there any change in your life? MC: You know, when you try to pursue a career, something is going to change. I didn’t further my studies after I graduated from high school when I was 16, that’s all my basic knowledge. I now have chances to play in different parts of the world and am exposed to different things. That’s part of the change too. NM: But don’t you feel that you lost something? MC: I lost the chance to grow up with my peers. When others are having fun, I need to be alone on court. But if you want to be the best, you have to make sacrifices. Although I couldn’t grow up normally like the rest of the kids, I still feel that there’s more of a gain than a loss. I don’t regret it. ‘I like to be with family.’ NM: Do you feel that your family support is important to you? MC: Definitely. My decision to turn pro was made by the whole family. NM: Americans tend to be independent. But you give people the impression that you always stay with your parents and brother. You grew up in the States, does that make you feel uncomfortable? MC: Under normal circumstances, Americans will be independent after a certain age. They will have their own homes. I come from a Chinese family, we have a different way of thinking than the Americans. Our family is a very close-knit family, just like the Italians. I like this way! Every tennis player needs other's support. Some people like to travel with coaches, some with girlfriends. In my case, I get the support from my family. This is my style. NM: But you don’t want to be more independent? MC: I like to be with my family, it makes me feel more relaxed during tournaments. It’s more fun to travel with family and see the world rather than traveling by myself. NM: Who makes the decision to play particular tournaments and shoot commercials? You, or the whole family? MC: It’s a family decision. Even if one person objects, I won’t do it. Things have to be done this way because one person only looks at the matter in one angle. Therefore, more people can contribute more opinions so we can make the best decision! ‘I have a good start this year!’ NM: Do you think your brother can give you enough coaching? (His brother Carl Chang was a college tennis player for UC-Berkeley.) MC: My present results aren't bad. This year is the best one in my career and I have a good start. My brother has been my coach for almost one year, some critics doubted his ability, but now fewer people have negative opinions. NM: How can he improve your performance? MC: I feel more solid in matches than before. He also helps to improve some of my weaknesses. My serve has improved a bit, but not yet reach my expectations. I think it takes time to do anything. If we continue to work hard, I believe I can play my best & reach the world #1 ranking. NM: How do you improve your serve-and-volley more efficiently? MC: Try harder and work harder. And try to serve-and-volley more often in the future. NM: Are you satisfied with your present progression? MC: I think I’ve achieved my goal. It was a bit surprising to win the French Open in 1989, but it was good since I had a taste what of it was like to be in the top ten. I needed to cope with pressure earlier. Now, since I have returned to the top ten, I know how to deal with the pressure. ‘I can only say all players are tough.’ NM: Besides 1989 French Open, which are your most memorable matches? MC: Many. Davis Cup semi-finals Vs Horst Skoff; last year, the match with John McEnroe (US Open); Grand Slam Cup against Lendl (91); the first round loss to Tim Mayotte at Wimbledon was also a good match. NM: Who’s your toughest opponent? MC: It’s hard to say. All I can say is that everyone is good, they are tough to play. NM: You have yet to win a title in Hong Kong, do you feel disappointed? MC: I wanted to win in Hong Kong, just like other places. But you won’t always win. I will come back and hope that one day I’ll win. I feel that this time I played quite good but Jim (Courier) was a little bit better than I was. This situation always happens. This year we've split 2 - 2. NM: How do you prepare for a tournament? Is it playing five to six hours of tennis every day? MC: No. I never play that much tennis. Sometimes, I play one hour, maximum three hours. I do a lot of exercises. (Fitness training?) Not very demanding activities, such as running. ‘I won’t play for money!’ NM: Do you feel tired since you have to travel around the world for different tournaments? MC: It depends how you arrange your time. I feel that my present schedule fits me. I can play for a few weeks, then come back to the States to recuperate and rest. I won’t play all of the tournaments just for the money. I won’t be tempted because you actually can’t do that. I hope that when I step onto the court, my feelings and the conditions are good. NM: More people criticize tennis players as moneymaking machines, they play for money, do you agree? MC: Tennis is a business. Every player has a different focus, some play for money, some really enjoy the game. For me, if I didn’t like playing tennis, I wouldn’t pick it as my career. I play this game because I wanted to be the best. I know that if I try hard to achieve good results, then I’ll have returns. Money is secondary. NM: How do you feel about being a millionaire in such a young age? MC: Money is money. It is importance in some circumstances, but it is not my goal. My goal is to make positive impacts in the world and to be able to show my talents. I don’t have much say about money because it is not what I’m most concerned about. ‘I feel like I belong here more & more (in Asia)' NM: Do you think your Asian background helps or distracts your career? MC: I feel it’s help! First of all, Chinese people’s attitude of striving the best has positive impacts on me. Moreover, not much Asians can succeed in pro-tennis. I feel the supports that I receive from Asia & Hong Kong encourage me to have more determination to achieve higher ranking. NM: You are more popular in Asian or Chinese places than America, how do you feel? MC: This is common. The reason is that America has many sports, besides tennis, it has basketball, American football, baseball. ... etc. There are many famous athletes, thus my case there isn’t special. But it’s different in Chinese societies, as tennis is a relative new sport in Asia. And Chinese is more focused on academic, therefore fewer people concentrated on sports. NM: How do you feel abut coming to Asia? MC: Feeling great! The more you come, the more you feel belonging here. I grow up in the States, there were only 4 Asians included me when I was in school. Basically everyone you get in touch is Caucasian Americans. Coming to here (Asia), you have opportunities to expose to your race & culture, I feel great! Because of tennis, I can reach the other part of the world. I hope that one day tennis will be booming in Asia. I think that Asians can play good tennis just as good as badminton, Ping-Pong. NM: Will you come to Far East even if you don’t have to play? MC: I like this place more & more! NM: But every time you come here is for tournaments, you wouldn’t have chance to feel the life here? MC: Not really. Sometimes people don’t know my activities. I will have chance to meet people, go to different places. Of course it also depends on my performance of the tournaments. If I play good, I will have less free time. If I lose earlier, I will have more time to go out. NM: Where do you think is your home, America or China? MC: I would say both. NM: What’s the differences between these 2 countries? MC: Not much different. Because I maintain a lot of Chinese culture in the States. I feel that I have combined the best from both cultures. NM: But do you feel the differences between West & East? MC: Yes. (What different?) I think in US, things are more relaxed. Asians are more hard-working. For example, when I shot the Panasonic commercial in Taiwan, there’s only half an hour lunch break in 8 hours; when I shot commercials in US, there’s 5 to 10 minutes break every hour. Also, Americans are more independent, they have different philosophy. ‘I’m a devout Christian.’ NM: What would you like to do besides tennis? MC: I’m a devout Christian. I like breeding tropical fish, I like talking with others, enjoy being with my family & go to fishing with them. Besides, I don’t have much time since tennis has dominate most of my time. If given a chance, I’d prefer more rest. NM: Did you have any idol when you were a kid? MC: I admired some tennis players but I wouldn’t worship them. (Outside the court?) Not when I was small. Right now I’m learning from God, He teaches me how to love one another, teaches me how to enjoy life. I feel that He is a perfect road. NM: Your friends are predominately Caucasians or Asians? Tennis related or not? MC: Mostly Asians, not associate with tennis. NM: This is a question many people concerned especially your female fans? What type of girl do you like? Who will be your ideal wife? MC: Frankly, so far I don’t know. I’m only 20 & not yet think about marriage. (But dating with girls? Is it because you’re too busy?) I think dating with girls isn’t important, the most important is to communicate with peers. When I return to US, I’ll meet more friends. I had spoken with some high school students in Hong Kong too. It’s always nice to meet more people, then you’ll discover the one you like. NM: What will you do if you don’t play tennis in the future? MC: I want to study again, but not sure at the moment. Although tennis career is short, but I think if I don’t have any injury, I can play 10 more years. Now I don’t have any decision, but I want to go back to school.
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