Published : 2025-06-12

On June 12, 1989, 17-year-old Michael Te-pei Chang(張德培) won the French Open, becoming the first Chinese and the youngest Grand Slam winner in history.

Michael Chang's ancestral hometown is Jieyang, Guangdong, and his parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in their early years.

Michael Chang was born in the United States in 1972, and he began learning tennis from his parents at the age of 6. Chang participated in several junior tennis tournaments and won multiple championships.

In 1988, at the age of 16, Chang officially started his professional career.

Despite his young age, Michael Chang quickly achieved impressive results, including winning the US Open in September 1988 and being named the best new player of the year in tennis.

By 1989, with just two years of professional experience, Michael Chang, seeded 15th, challenged one of the Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open.

Chang fought his way to the finals after defeating many top players, including a come-from-behind victory over the world's number one-ranked Czech player, Ivan Lendl, in the round of 16.

With his indomitable will, Michael Chang did not back down even when facing the highly experienced Swedish ace, Stefan Edberg, a six-time Grand Slam champion, in the finals.

He ultimately achieved another comeback win, taking the championship trophy with a 3:2 victory.