Any man who hits his professional peak before his sexual peak is worthy of some recognition here on Flumesday. Michael Chang, who is still the youngest player ever to win a Grand Slam tennis event, is this week’s Chinese Person of the Week. Now I realize Michael Chang is technically American. He was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. But according to the Chinese Person of the Week terms of entry, anyone with the name “Chang” qualifies for the honor. Other than his surname, why is Michael, who really hasn’t made any news since he won the ‘89 French Open at the age of 17, this week’s Chinese Person of the Week? First, because I miss him. And second, because after all these years of tennis fans asking “what ever happened to Michael Chang?” there is finally an answer. This week it was announced that Chang is in negotiations to be the coach of China’s top female tennis prospect Peng Shuai in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 35-year-old Chang, or as he is called in the mainland, Zhang Depei, recently finished a 5-week intensive Mandarin course in Beijing so that he can communicate effectively with his future pupil. China has high hopes for its tennis players in Beijing next year. There are 4 Chinese women in the top 100 and a Chinese duo took the 2004 gold medal for women’s doubles in Athens. While Chang’s parents were born in Taiwan, in Beijing it will be the Chinese mainland that will benefit from his tennis expertise. After his French Open victory, at 17, Chang never won another grand slam and has been out of the public eye since his retirement from the pro tour in 2003. Known throughout his career for his lightning speed, Chang faded away from tennis about as fast as he used to get to balls on the baseline. And because Michael heads back to his homeland to aid China in its mission to rule tennis at the 2008 games, he is Flumesday’s Chinese Person of the Week.

•Melbourne Herald Sun: China Olympics Lures Chang

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