Michael's News: Nov. 1999

Michael's News: November 1999

SWEEEEEE-DEN: Michael is now resting at home in Seattle. He competed in the Stockholm Open as a late entry, losing his first round match against Mark Philippoussis. The indoor event was Michael's final tournament of the 1999 season. Although he was been unable to continue his winning streak--he won at least one title per year since 1988, the longest current run amongst active players--Michael can rest assured that he is well on the comeback trail.
In Stockholm, Michael gave a press conference for kids. Instead of putting a link to the article on the ATP Tour website, I have reposted it here:

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Chang kids around
American fields tough questions

Michael Chang gave a kids' press conference at the Stockholm Open. Approximately 40 children under 12 years old were invited to attend the conference and most of them got the opportunity to ask all sorts of questions. Chang not only gave useful tips on how to improve their tennis, "When I was growing up I didn't get the chance to see the pros playing live. You should take the opportunity to watch as much live matches as you can since you're fortunate enough to be here at the Stockholm Open."

He was also asked if he likes pancakes. "It depends on the kind of pancakes. Have you ever tried the French ones, the really thin crepes? I like those."

And of course they all wanted to know if he liked Sweden, "I haven't had the chance to see much of Sweden, but I think Stockholm is beautiful. I like water, and Stockholm seems to be surrounded by it."
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MICHAEL HONORED AS AN INFLUENTIAL ASIAN AMERICAN: Congratulations to Michael, who was named one of A. Magazine: Inside Asian America's 100 Most Influential Asian Americans of the Decade. Check out the Oct./Nov. 1999 issue; the other athletes listed are golfer Tiger Woods, figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan, and football (American) player Junior Seau.
Also, Michael was named one of the 100 Most Influential Asian Americans of the Decade in Northwest Asian Weekly, an English-language paper based in Seattle.

EARLIER THIS MONTH: Michael competed in the Paris Open, where he enjoyed his best result of the year with a semifinal finish. He won six straight matches (two in qualifying, four in the main draw), saved a match point in two of those, and defeated Marcelo Rios and Cedric Pioline.
There are links to articles from the official tournament website below that are written in French, but for those of you who can't read them, this is what they generally say:

Tuesday: Michael had to qualify for the tournament--he is now ranked #72 in the world--and saved one match point in his final qualifying match on Sunday, Oct. 31. He will try to regain his form in the second round against Marcelo Rios.
Wednesday: Michael, who saved one match point in his qualifying match Sunday against the Croat Ivan Ljubicic, seems to have found his legs and speed of his former glory. Victorious against Marcelo Rios, the American will next face the surprising John Van Lottum from the Netherlands, to play for a spot in the quarterfinals.

News & pictures from this month: