Michael Chang

Chinese-American, at age 17 the youngest man to ever win the French Open, fast-rising young star on men's pro tennis circuit. He turned pro a month before his 16th birthday.

Raised in a supportive family, Michael and his older brother Carl learned tennis from their dad, a polymer chemist. Both parents are Chinese immigrants; they relocated to California so the boys could play year-round. In 1985, they refinanced their house in San Diego to pay for lessons and travel to tennis meets. When Michael turned pro, his mom, also a chemist, quit her job to travel with him. Joe Chang acted as his son's coach, analyzing his moves as well as his opponents with scientific rigor. All decisions were made by the family council.

In 1988, Michael picked up a bible and became captivated by what he read. "Now I know I'm here for a purpose that God wants me to fulfill," he said," Since 1992, his Tennis Stars of the Future program in Hong Kong has provided kids with equipment and coaching, a model for the similar program he launched in southern California. A strong family man with a firm religious base, he gives motivational talks. As a hobby, he loves fishing.

The No.2 ranked tennis player had dropped to No. 41 in early spring of 2000 due to wrist and stomach injuries. He still plans to play in major matches while he recovers from his injuries.