Michael Chang is known for keeping a low profile, but the American former ATP icon recently was a guest of honor at the ongoing 2025 Hong Kong Open. The former World No. 2 posed for the cameras along with youngsters Shang Juncheng and Coleman Wong, chair umpire Fergus Murphy and the ball boys. Chang’s son Micah was also present and did the coin toss later.

The 34-time career titlist was given a rousing reception by the crowd that had turned up to watch the first-round match between Shang and Wong at the Victoria Park Tennis Center in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. The announcer also mentioned a proud record that Michael Chang still holds.

The Hoboken, New Jersey-born Chang remains the youngest male tennis player to win a Major title at the 1989 French Open. At the time, Chang was only 17 years and 109 days old. He is also the fourth lowest-ranked player to have won the prestigious claycourt Major at Roland Garros.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special guest performing the coin toss for this match. With a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world, he won an incredible 34 career titles, and as the 1989 French Open champion, he remains until today, the youngest male tennis player in history to win a Grand Slam. Please give a very warm welcome to the legendary Michael Chang,” the announcer said.

With the crowd clapping in unison, Chang stepped forward and acknowledged the roaring applause before watching son Micah perform the coin toss.

Later on, the official Instagram handle of the Hong Kong Open paid a brief but glowing tribute to Michael Chang. The post was captioned:

“It was an honour having Tennis Hall of Famer Michael Chang and his son Micah opening up our final Centre Court match of the day with the coin toss!”

Chang also has professional pursuits to pay attention to in Hong Kong, where his pupil Kei Nishikori is participating.

Coached by Michael Chang, Kei Nishikori started Hong Kong Open on a bright note

Chang became Kei Nishikori’s coach in 2014 and spearheaded the Japanese’s rise to a career-high ranking of World No. 4. Under Chang’s guidance, Nishikori also reached the 2014 US Open final and won the men’s singles bronze medal after defeating Rafael Nadal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The last few years have seen Nishikori struggle with injuries. However, the Japanese returned to action in 2023 and secured some noteworthy results in 2024, one of them being his National Bank Open win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

At the ongoing Hong Kong Open, Chang’s pupil got off to a solid start, comprehensively beating Denis Shapovalov on Thursday, December 31. The Japanese is set to face third seed Karen Khachanov next for a place in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event on Friday.