Chang reflects on the twilight of his long career

Steve Keating

As the sun set on a picture perfect opening day at Roland Garros on Monday, Michael Chang leaned against the wall and talked about the twilight.

"I'm in the twilight of my career but I still enjoy going out there," said Chang, after beginning his 14th French Open campaign with an impressive 6-3 6-3 6-1 win over Germany's Alexander Popp.

"I don't think I need to prove anything, I've accomplished a lot.

"I don't know if I'll ever accomplish anything more or that if I have too."

In the sprawling Roland Garros grounds, it is only a few hundred metres from court two, where Chang played his first French Open match in 1988, to court six, where he played his most recent.

But standing directly in between is Court Central where, in 1989, the-then 17-year-old American made French Open history -- beating Sweden's Stefan Edberg in five-set thriller to become the youngest ever winner of a Grand Slam.

In the years since, Court Central has been rebuilt and renamed but none of the sport's brilliant young talents who have scuffed the famous Parisian red clay from the soles of their shoes have been able to eclipse Chang's remarkable achievement.

"I don't know whether it was harder to do it then or if it would be harder now," said Chang.

DIFFERENT TIMES
"It's difficult to compare because it was different times and different styles.

"Some people try to compare what Pete (Sampras) has accomplished to (Rod) Laver but, to be fair, that would be difficult.

"The matches today are tougher, there's greater depth and the players are stronger and more athletic.

"There's also the technology."

A slightly receding hairline and a ranking that had tumbled as low as 50 at the start of last season confirm that Chang is closer to the end of a career, that has produced 34 singles titles, than to the beginning.

Devoutly religious, Chang's tenacious on-court style is in sharp contrast to his peaceful nature.

Once the City of Lights' brightest sporting star, Chang was greeted with disinterest by the world press after his victory over Popp, the same world press that used to hang on the softly-spoken American's every word.

While the fans still clamoured for autographs on Monday, there were no requests for interviews and Chang simply fielded questions from two journalists.

"I would like to walk away having accomplished a few more things," said Chang.

"But right now I just go out there and try and put in the best effort I can and, if it comes...great.

"I guess if I could accomplish one more thing, what I'd like to do is win the U.S. Open. That's what I would like."