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Michael Chang turned 31 this year, and that's pretty ancient in tennis-player years.

In 1989, at 17, he made history by becoming the youngest man ever to win the French Open and the first American male to win it in 36 years. Chang's speed and determination made the 5-foot-9-inch, 150-pound player a David among Goliaths on the court. He became a young superstar, earning tens of millions of dollars from tournaments and endorsements.

But he hasn't won another Grand Slam title since his momentous victory in '89. In 14 years, while his chief rivals Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi won major after major, he was never able to repeat his Grand Slam glory.

And now, Michael Chang is calling it a day. After losing in the first round of the 2003 U.S. Open in New York, he followed his friend Pete Sampras into retirement.

But don't feel sorry for him. For Chang, time away from professional tennis simply means more time to devote to Christian ministry. Throughout his career, he has always been vocal about his beliefs. One fan website hailed him as a "world-class Jesus freak." It's the kind of label that Chang has no problem wearing.

"I look upon my career with much thanksgiving," he told Christian Reader in late May, just days before he left for Paris to compete one last time on the red clay of Roland Garros at the French Open. "In all honesty, never in my mind or my family's mind did we think that God would bring me to this point of my life.

"I've had a wonderful opportunity to do something I love—travel around the world and experience different cultures," Chang added. "At the same time, I've been able to spread the gospel with a tennis racket in my hand. God has blessed me more than I could ever ask and imagine. I'm very thankful."

So why is he calling it quits now?

"I felt like the timing is right," says Chang, who reached a career high of second in the world in 1996, but was ranked 142nd for his final French Open. "I prayed about it. It's not easy. It's definitely bittersweet, because it's something I've been doing for so long. But I'm excited about what the Lord has in store for me after tennis."

Heart of an evangelist
A Chinese American, Chang plans to still be involved in tennis. After his retirement, he'll join with his older brother and coach, Carl, to mentor Asian youths in the sport. And he says he'd also like to do short-term missions work in China and other Asian countries, where he's an even bigger star than in the U.S.

"I also see myself getting married and starting a family, and settling down a bit," Chang writes in his book, Holding Serve: Persevering On and Off the Court.

He is especially excited about having more time to devote to the Chang Family Foundation (CFF), a Christian outreach organization. Established in 1999, the foundation uses the acronym CHANG for its vision: "Christ Honored And introduced to the Next Generation."

CFF's local community and international programs include youth tennis camps, evangelistic events, and a scholarship program. Launched in January 2002, the Foundation's Christian Sports League (CSL) was started as a vehicle for churches and organizations to do outreach using sports. Chang says CSL's mission is to use sports as an avenue for people to hear, see, and experience the Christian faith.

Eugene Kim, a tennis pro at the Mercer Island Country Club (near Chang's suburban Seattle home), says he began exploring Christianity and attending church after Michael and Carl Chang invited him to help with their tennis camp in Taiwan.

	"People will forget great matches. But when you're able to touch their lives, that stays with them."

"Michael is one of the reasons why I'm a Christian today," says Kim, 37. "Michael was vital in putting me in a Christian environment that helped me realize that I was missing something from my life."

An evangelist at heart, Chang says he's also thinking of taking some seminary classes. "Who knows? Maybe being a pastor or evangelist is something down the line for me," he reveals. "Ministry doesn't really change. It just won't be out there on the court. My purpose won't change. I'll still want to impact lives. That's God's calling for each Christian regardless of where they are."

Chang's pastor, Wayne Ogimachi of Lighthouse Christian Church in Seattle, told Christian Reader that Chang has been instrumental in the faith journey of several people who have become Christians through their church.

"Although Michael is a soft-spoken, often introverted person, he could be very effective as a pastor or evangelist if God called him," says Ogimachi. "People respond to his humility, devotion, and integrity."

Since his book came out last summer, Chang says he has been accepting more and more speaking engagements at churches. "I still get a little bit nervous speaking before people," he says. "I'm comfortable playing in front of 15,000 people in tennis, but speaking in front of 1,500 at church is a little different. But I enjoy talking with people—young people particularly."

Chang adds: "I like to tell them things that are of great importance to me: faith, family, people, and priorities."

A grateful champion
When he received the winner's trophy at the '89 French Open, Chang—who had just become a Christian a year before— addressed the crowd of more than 60,000 at Roland Garros by thanking everyone who had played a part in his success. Then he thanked Jesus. "Without him," he said, "I'm nothing!" He was ridiculed by the press in France and jeered by French tennis fans for his outspoken faith, but throughout his playing career he never stopped giving credit to Christ.

His 1989 winning campaign remains one of the most exciting moments in the tournament history. Before beating Stefan Edberg in the final, his run to the championship included a stirring victory over top-ranked Ivan Lendl, in which Chang served underhanded while battling leg cramps.

"Obviously for me, winning the French Open is a highlight career-wise," says Chang. "I played the last four matches on inspiration. I felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to win.

"The Tiananmen Square tragedy was going on at that time," Chang adds. "It was a tough time for Chinese people all over the world. I think it was God's purpose to glorify himself and at the same time give Chinese people something when I won."

Yet, barring "something miraculous from God," Chang says it's likely that French Open will be his only Grand Slam trophy. And that's just fine.

"People will forget great victories, great shots, and great matches," he says matter-of-factly. "But when you're able to touch and impact a person's life for Christ, that stays with them their whole lifetime and beyond that. It really puts things in perspective. God has given me this platform through tennis not only to show my talent, but also to impact people on a personal level."

Ogimachi says Chang "has become a role model for many young people, and has helped them to see that you can be a Christian and a sports champion."

Editor's Note: For more information about Michael Chang and the Chang Family Foundation, visit www.mchang.com.
Also, writing in USA Today, Michael Chang offers his reflections on his storied career.

A Christian Reader original article. Eric Tiansay is a writer and editor for Strang Communications in Lake Mary, Florida.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
Click here for reprint information.

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