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 Return to glory? Chang hoping to recapture French magic
Posted: Saturday May 22, 1999 04:55 PM
Michael Chang can't believe it was 10 years ago. Most of us interested in tennis still have to pinch ourselves to believe that it ever happened at all. A 17-year-old upstart came from two sets down to beat three-time French Open champion Ivan Lendl in the last 16 at Roland Garros in 1989 in an epic four hour 37 minute struggle.
He somehow recovered from that energy-sapping act of heroism to beat Ronald Agenor and Andre Chesnokov, before defeating Swedish master Stefan Edberg in the final. Each time he had to come from behind. Chang was king of Roland Garros without ever having shown even princely tendencies. He became the youngest men's Grand Slam singles champion. To this day it is his only triumph in a major. This year, the 10th anniversary of the victory which kick-started Chang's career, he is back on his beloved Parisien red stuff ... hoping it can inspire him to a tennis re-birth. Injuries last year and a struggle to regain his best form so far this season have combined to send Chang to an uncharacteristic 50th place in the world rankings (as of the week starting May 17). But you know, Chang is nothing if not a fighter. Many of his 33 tournament wins have come as much from spirit as raw talent. And he's showing that same fight and determination on the practice courts of Roland Garros this week as he bids to avert the slide. When I joined him on Court 4 to witness his two-hour workout on Wednesday -- just five days ahead of the start of the year's second Grand Slam -- he was hitting the ball with the venom of old and improved accuracy. And yes it was only practice. But Chang genuinely appeared in the kind of shape which belies his recent form. "I'm getting there ... it's coming," said a modest Chang, not wishing to suggest he could replicate the punishing training shots in the heat of a real battle. We can only hope these are the first signs of his ascent back into the top 10, elite company he has kept seven times at the year's end during his career. An early exit would be a demoralizing blow too cruel to contemplate. And where better for the affable American to resurrect his playing fortunes than Roland Garros? A better 10th anniversary gift he couldn't wish for.
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