A Long Afternoon for Team Chang

Michael Chang arrived for the final of the Volvo/Los Angeles tennis tournament Sunday, three hours before his match against Stefan Edberg, surrounded by his usual entourage--parents Joe and Betty and older brother Carl.

Despite Michael’s tennis success, the Changs have remained a private family, shying away from interviews, revealing only bits and pieces of the family routine.

Joe Chang, who works in the marketing division of Unocal, is on leave until September to travel with and coach his son. Betty, who quit her job as a research chemist two years ago, travels with Michael full time.

An hour and a half before the championship match, which Chang eventually lost, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), Michael, Carl and Joe began the warmup ritual.

Michael serves, Carl returns, Dad mills around the court observing Michael’s feet, his toss, his follow-through.

The first 20 to 30 serves are either deep or fall at the net. But slowly, as Joe begins nodding, the serves find their target, the speed and accuracy return.

Not a handful of words have been spoken by the time they leave, each prepared in his own way to face Edberg an hour later.

The Changs take their tennis seriously. Even after Chang took a 5-2 lead in the first set, then allowed Edberg to tie the set and win the tiebreaker, 7-4, the Changs sat straight-faced, rarely speaking even during breaks.

In the second set, Chang led, 3-2, when Edberg twisted his ankle. When play resumed, Chang quickly finished the set, prolonging his chances of winning a tournament in his hometown.

Neither Chang nor Edberg were broken through the first 12 games of the final set, but Edberg had Chang on the defensive through the tiebreaker, and ended it, 7-3, when Chang’s forehand fell into the net.

“I thought I played very well in the third set,” Chang said. “I just went out there and tried my best. It’s always nice to play a tournament in front of the home crowd who supports you and cheers for you. It kind of reminded me of the juniors.”

Said his father: “Michael had chances but couldn’t close it. I think he played tentatively, but another year or two of experience will help that.”

Michael played doubles two weeks ago with his brother in Washington, and said that after Carl graduates in May, they might team on a regular basis.

“Maybe in another year or so, if I can keep up with him,” the 1989 French Open champion joked.