The Strength to Keep Fighting

I don't think that should change. Education should always come before athletics. But if you look at the present age of college recruitment and scholarships and admissions, well, many schools don't just look to see that you're smart. Good grades alone may not get you into Stanford or Harvard. They look to see how well rounded you are. Are you doing sports, or are you serving in your local community?

If you're an Asian-American in a sport that very few Asian-Americans play, you can give youngsters confidence. If Michael can do that, they'll say, or if Jeremy can do that, then who's to say that I can't do it? When I was in the junior ranks, there were only a handful of Asian-Americans. Now, if you look at the junior tournaments, there are many, many Asian-Americans playing. That is really great to see.

For those who see us as role models, you try to be a source of encouragement and inspiration where you can, and at the same time you try to point them to Christ.

How have you made use of the platform God has given you? 

When I was on the professional tour, it was often difficult for me to share with people on a more personal level. I had opportunities to share my faith through the media, or in words I spoke to a crowd after a tournament. But I didn't have much opportunity to share my testimony or my experiences on and off the court in a deep and personal way.

So that's one of the first things that I felt excited to do. All of a sudden I had the time to do that. In the middle of my career, I would be invited to share my story with a group, but I would be scheduled for tournaments. Post career, I have had more chance to speak. I share with businesses and universities and churches. Sports ministry gives me the opportunity to reach out to the community. I had a chance to write a book, and to go to seminary for a year and a half. God has given me the chance to do a lot of things I could not have done in the midst of my career. That's been fun, and hopefully that will continue to expand.

Even though I'm not playing on the main tour anymore, tennis continues to be the platform that allows me to do those things. I'm thankful for that. Any way in which God can use me, that's a good thing.

So it's not all downhill when the athletic career is over?

It's different for different people. How the Lord's structured my transition will be different from someone else. Some women transition by getting married and having families. Some of my peers no longer train anymore, and play golf every day.

After a while that kind of lifestyle grows dry. I can relax and do nothing for a week, but it feels like an unproductive waste of time. My purpose here on earth is to know God, and to help others know God and have a relationship with Him.

So the transition, for me, was pretty easy, because my goals and purposes have not changed. Tennis is still my platform, and I still go out and share the gospel, just in a different way.

Some people might feel like they don't have a platform. In reality, God gives everyone a platform. Wherever God places you in your life and in your career, you have an opportunity to share with the people around you, people whom others can't reach. At school, at work, travels, it doesn't matter where you are. God brings opportunities. You just have to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading that here is an opportunity to share. Then you can take a few minutes to share your testimony and give an encouraging word.

How would you like for people to remember Michael Chang, the tennis player?

To be honest, it really does not matter to me. It's not for me to say how other people should remember my tennis career. While my tennis career is important to me, it's not the basis of who I am. It does not define who I am. What's important to me is the day I get to heaven, if the Lord says, "Well done, good and faithful servant." That will be worth so much more than what anyone and everyone can say to me on earth.

You can be the nicest person in the world and someone out there will still not like you. I've learned that you just cannot please everybody. Seeking to please men is a constant merry-go-round. Our goal as believers should be to live for the Lord, to please God and not worry about everyone around us. Do what the Lord asks of you, and trust that He will take care of the rest.

All the trophies are important to some degree, but they're not life-changing. The circumstances and situations God has brought me through, in tennis, are life-changing. But the trophies sit in a bookcase and collect dust.

If a young athlete were to approach you and ask how he could grow in his faith even as he pursues his athletic dreams, what advice would you give?

Tennis has a grueling schedule. We often travel outside the United States, and sometimes on Sundays you're traveling or playing. I actually did not get a chance to go to church that often. Each time I did have the opportunity to go to church, it felt like a cherished opportunity to be with brothers and sisters and sing and worship together. I just didn't get to do it that often. For many years, I never went on a church retreat, because of my schedule as a tennis player.