In 1989, teenager Michael Chang was quickly emerging as one of the brightest young talents on the professional circuit.
The American youngster, 17, arrived at Roland Garros as the 15th seed and a clear outsider for the title.
However, Chang defied all the expectations placed before him, becoming the youngest male winner of a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era.
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How did Chang achieve such an astonishing feat?
Michael Chang’s 1989 Roland Garros victory
Chang began his 1989 Roland Garros campaign 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3.
The 17-year-old then dominated throughout his second-round match, defeating future 14-time major champion Pete Sampras 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.
Chang’s dominance continued in the third round: he defeated Spain’s Francisco Roig 6-0, 7-5, 6-3.
Chang’s first big test at the event occurred in round four. The youngster faced top seed Ivan Lendl – an eight-time Grand Slam champion.
Despite falling two sets behind, Chang eventually stunned Lendl, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Chang later admitted that he came very close to retiring from the match during the fourth set after suffering a bout of cramps.
“Toward the end of the fourth set, I started to cramp anytime I had to run really hard,” the American said, as per The Guardian.
“So I resorted to hitting a lot of moon balls, and trying to keep points as short as possible. If I had an opportunity to go for a winner, I’d go for it.”
“I was really close to quitting. I started to say to myself: ‘Who am I kidding here? I’m 17 years old and I’m playing against the number one player in the world. It wouldn’t be so bad to just call it a day.’”
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However, Chang ultimately chose not to give in against Lendl.
“When I got to the service line, I got an unbelievable conviction of heart,” Chang added.
“Looking back, I really feel like it was the Lord kind of telling me: ‘Michael, what do you think you’re doing here?’
“If I quit once, the second, third, fourth or fifth time that I am faced with that kind of circumstance, that kind of difficulty, I’m going to quit again.”
Chang then defeated Ronald Agenor and Andrei Medvedev – both in four sets.
By doing so, the 17-year-old set up a final against then three-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg.
Chang prevailed in five sets once again, beating Edberg 6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2.
Michael Chang qualified for two more Grand Slam finals
Almost seven years after his maiden Grand Slam title, Chang qualified for his second Grand Slam final.
Boris Becker, a former world number one, defeated Chang 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–2 in the 1996 Australian Open final.
Later that year, Chang reached another major final at the US Open.
Again, Chang was beaten – this time by compatriot Pete Sampras, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6.
Michael Chang’s Grand Slam finals
- 1989 French Open: defeated Stefan Edberg 6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 in the final
- 1996 Australian Open: lost to Boris Becker, 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–2
- 1996 US Open, lost to Pete Sampras, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6
“You know, I thought that the first set, actually few points, really could have gone my way,” Chang told reporters in New York after the match.
“I had breakpoints in both his opening service games and, you know, just things didn’t get off to a very good start and, you know, I didn’t – I still didn’t feel like I was out of the match at any point.
“I felt like I was starting to get into the rallies and things were definitely starting to get better for me. Just wasn’t able to close out that third set.
“I was a little bit unlucky on the set point to clip the tape there. I think I had a pretty good chance of winning that point if it didn’t clip the tape.
“But from there, it is a whole new ballgame and just a few points really kind of really made things just swing his way and just a bit unfortunate.”