For thirty-four years, American tennis players have crawled home from Paris every spring... in defeat. But in 1989 that all changed. In a match reminiscent of David's biblical encounter with Goliath, one small seventeen-year-old boy did what 494 of his countrymen before him had failed to do-capture the men's singles title at the French Open.
Today Michael Chang's list of tennis achievements is breath-taking. He has earned many prestigious titles, most preceded by the phrase "youngest player ever to..." In a sport as demanding and publicized as professional tennis, Michael Chang stands out not only as an athlete of talent and determination, but also as a young man of integrity.
At a glance, Michael does not seem to be the most formidable player on the professional circuit. Often matched against players well over 6 feet tall, Michael looks quite David-like at a mere 5'9''. The odds seem stacked against him from a human point of view, but God repeatedly uses Michael to remind the watching world that He gifts a player with more than just size and strength.
"I don't have the height and I don't have the strength to go out and compete against the bigger and stronger guys. But I really think that I have been blessed with a talent and the speed to play tennis, and those are gifts from God."
As successful as Michael Chang is, playing tennis is not the most important thing in his life. His Christian beliefs are well known, and he openly speaks about his faith whenever he can. Growing up in a Christian home, Michael admits that as a child he found church less then exciting. It wasn't until his teenage years that he began to think seriously about spiritual matters.
"When I was a teenager, my mind really opened up, and I asked a lot of questions. My grandfather gave me a Bible and I started to read about Jesus. When I realized that the events in my life were not by coincidence, my faith started to grow. A short time later I believed in Jesus and accepted Him as my Savior."
Accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior marked a turning point in Michael's life and set him out on an extraordinary journey. With Jesus in his heart, this diminutive tennis player stands much larger than any worldly champion ever could.
"Tennis is more than just good forehands and backhands. It's an opportunity to touch people's lives and share the Gospel with them. Tennis is temporary, but a relationship with the Lord lasts forever."
On the world's scoreboard, athletes are either winners or losers. The constant pressure to perform wears down the most seasoned veterans. But young Michael deals with these strains in some amazing ways.
"I used to put too much emphasis on winning and losing, but my perspective changed when I became a Christian. It is much easier now to go out and perform because I no longer feel that same pressure-God has taken it away. He has given me a great sense of peace. I've also been very blessed in my life because I have my mom, dad, sister-in-law Diana, and brother Carl (my coach) supporting and praying for me.
"Sometimes God is able to touch more lives through my losses then my wins. I still get upset when I lose, but I try to give the glory to Him in whatever the circumstances. The Lord is always in control. I know that He has a purpose for everything. To me the real meaning of Christianity is having a personal relationship with Jesus. I have found no greater joy than from knowing the Lord. I know He wants to watch out for you, guide you, teach you, love you, and give you the peace in your life that you've always longed for. Jesus will show you how to live your life to the fullest. I hope you will put your trust in Him today. I encourage you to accept the Lord as your personal Savior. When you give your life to Him, you will embark on an adventure of a lifetime."