Michael Chang Biography

Michael Te Pei Chang (Pinyin: Zhang Dépéi; born February 22, 1972) is an American professional tennis player who reached the top 10 world rankings.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey to Joe and Betty (née Tung).

Chang's parents both grew up in Taiwan (though born elsewhere) and educated in chemistry in the United States, where they met. (Betty moved to US in 1959, but Joe moved in 1966, and was introduced to each other by a mutual friend.) Betty is the daughter of the Republic of China's ambassador Michael Tung and was born in New Delhi, India. Joe was born in Chaozhou, Guangdong and moved to Taiwan at 7. Michael's Chinese name was chosen by Joe and English name Betty (named after her father).

Chang won his first national title, the USTA Junior Hardcourt Singles at twelve. He dropped out of grade 10 from San Dieguito High School in Encinitas, California, after passing the GED in February 1988. He played in at least one tournament yearly from 1988 to 2000, except 1999. His highest single record is the second (September 9, 1996). His highest double record is the 199th (April 19, 1993). His world ranking dropped to 31st in 2000; he retired from the professional tour in 2003.

In 1989, he became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam singles event, winning the French Open. This made him the first American man to win that event since 1954.

As a devout Christian, Chang and his family established, in 1999, the Chang Family Foundation "to introduce the Good News of Jesus Christ to the World". In 2001, Chang served as a goodwill ambassador for 2008 Summer Olympics (Beijing) bid committee.

He currently lives unmarried in Mercer Island, Washington and likes to fish or attend to his African orchids when free. He published Holding Serve: Persevering On and Off the Court in 2002.

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MICHAEL CHANG BIOGRAPHY