Sport | Tennis
Chang inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame
Chinese-American Michael Chang won French Open at 17 while Beijing experienced Tiananmen Square protest crackdown.
- AP
- Published: 00:08 July 14, 2008
Rhode Island: Michael Chang finds it appropriate he's receiving his sport's highest honour as China awaits the Olympics.
Chang was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday and reflected on his experiences as a Chinese-American athlete.
He won the 1989 French Open at 17 -the youngest man to win a major - as the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing were escalating into bloodshed.
Agility
"For me, at the French Open, if I wasn't playing my match I was glued to CNN watching the events unfold," said Chang.
"The crackdown actually happened that Sunday of the French Open."
Unlike his days on the court, the 36-year-old Chang had the spotlight all to himself on Saturday, not having to share the moment with the likes of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker.
"I think any generation that follows our generation - its tough to compete," he said.
"As an athlete, I used my speed, agility and quickness to go out and play against the big guys."
Chang finished with 34 titles.
He was a finalist at the 1995 French Open, 1996 US Open and 1996 Australian Open.
Profile: Michael Chang
Country: United States
Date of birth: February 22, 1972 (age 36)
Height: 5ft 9in (1.75 m)
Weight: 160lb (73kg/11st)
Turned pro: 1988
Retired: 2003
Career prize money: $19,145,632
Singles
Career record: 662 - 312 (68%)
Career titles: 34
Highest ranking: 2 (September 9, 1996)
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