The players: Michael Chang and Paul McNamee
Michael Chang, the US U-18 National Champion with a US Open wildcard entry, was already making waves in American tennis at just 15 years old. Known for his defensive and fighting skills, Chang was breaking precocity records from a young age. On the other hand, Paul McNamee, a Grand Slam doubles champion and former top 25 pro from Australia, had a successful career in both singles and doubles, reaching world No 1 in doubles.
The location: The US Open, New York
The US Open, established in 1881, is the only Grand Slam tournament to be played every year without interruption. The tournament has moved locations throughout the 20th century, finally settling in New York at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows in 1978. The center boasts the Louis Armstrong Stadium with a capacity of 14,000 spectators.
The match: Michael Chang defeats Paul McNamee
In their match at the US Open, 15-year-old Chang faced 32-year-old McNamee. Despite McNamee’s experience and higher ranking, Chang surprised everyone with a more aggressive strategy and defeated McNamee in four sets. This victory marked the start of a successful career for Chang, who went on to win the French Open at just 17 years old.
The aftermath: Chang’s success and McNamee’s career transition
Chang went on to break numerous records and achieve success in the tennis world, reaching No 2 in the world rankings in 1996. Meanwhile, McNamee transitioned to a successful sports administrator role after retiring from his playing career, serving as Tournament Director of the Hopman Cup and CEO of the Australian Open.
