FORMER NO. 2 HAS ONLY ONE WIN ON ATP TOUR THIS YEAR

Chang's farewell tour drags on

By Tom A. McFerson
Special to tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane/ Camerawork USA, Inc.

The seemingly endless and increasingly depressing "Michael Chang Farewell Tour" continues this week at the Mercedes Benz Cup in LA.

With only one win to six losses since the farewell tour began (two wins to eight losses if Challengers are included), Chang desperately needs some kind of momentum heading into the final tournaments of his career. According to his web site, after Los Angeles, he will play only in the Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati and then the US Open.

Some believe that the farewell tour may have caught a small break, with Chang drawing a qualifier in the first round. Not likely. With Michael recently suffering humiliating losses to No. 201 Sergio Roitman at the Aptos Challenger and then to No. 174 Eric Taino in Indianapolis, any player is going to provide a steep challenge.

Which raises the question: Why is Michael putting himself, and his fans, through this? A Roland Garros champion and former No. 2 player, Chang has been the model of dedication and maturity throughout his notable 16-year career. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his charity work, Christian values and leadership in Asia and the Asian-American community.

Is the Chang farewell tour serving some purpose? Closure for both Michael and his fans? One last chance for everyone to express their mutual gratitude? Or is it, at this point, a runaway train? A train that Michael would gladly hop off of, if only he could.

FIRST-ROUND LOSSES STARTS ROUTINE
It's probably a combination of both. Granted, his final tournament visits weren't supposed to turn out like this, with first-round loss after first-round loss piling up. But now, given the pattern that's been established at these farewell stops – early and painful loss, followed by touching post-match ceremony, followed by nice farewell gift with local flavor, followed by waves good-bye – one wonders whether Michael would rather just call the whole thing off.

Or, perhaps, Michael truly believes he can do some damage in his last few tournaments. Michael told the media after his loss in Indianapolis, "I still hope I can finish on a good note." Maybe he's believe that, à la Pete, he can get hot and make a run deep into the US Open.

But that's highly doubtful. Chang is no Sampras. Never was and never will be. Even when Sampras' was slumping prior to the '02 Open, his serve and volleys were still significant weapons. A step or too slower than his peak, Chang has no real weapons to hurt his opponents anymore.

One spectator said it perfectly. While watching Michael's practice session at UCLA Saturday, he said it was almost like Michael and the Chang family was in some kind of time warp. Ranked two in the world or 200, the familiar faces and routine were exactly the same. A morning hit with Cecil Mamiit on center court. An afternoon hit with Wayne Ferreira on Court 2. Carl by his side, racquet in hand. Michael's father Joe quietly hovering in the corner. All going about their business, sticking to the plan that had worked so well in the past.

Maybe Michael does truly believe. Maybe there is one miracle left. Time will tell.

One way or the other, sadly or mercifully, the Michael Chang farewell tour will all be over soon.