When I was a kid, I watched men's tennis now and then, especially the Grand Slams. Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Jim Courier. But my favorite player was Michael Chang after his improbable French Open victory in 1989. He was 17, was the first American to win the French Open in more than three decades, and was -- and still is -- the youngest Grand Slam tournament champion ever. And he did it in amazing fashion after coming down with severe leg cramps. In what is a classic match, he defeated Ivan Lendl in the round of 16 after being down two sets to nothing. I can still remember him limping around and Lendl becoming openly frustrated with Chang's unorthodox play.
Chang was fittingly inducted into the Hall of Fame today. Congratulations, Mr. Chang.
Here is Chang's underhand serve against Lendl in that famous match:
And here is more video from Chang's victories over Lendl and Edberg:
More:
He'll always have Paris: Michael Chang reflects on crowning moment (SI.com, 5/22/1999)
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