Chang, 15, Decides to Go Pro : Valencia Sophomore Cites Financial, Scheduling Problems

Michael Chang of Placentia, who last summer became the youngest male tennis player to win a U.S. Open match, announced Friday that he will turn professional.

His pro debut will be Jan. 25 in a 16-man exhibition tournament in Texas. In February, he will play in the U.S. National Indoors in Memphis.

Chang, who attends Valencia High School, said that financial burdens and scheduling difficulties were the main reasons for his decision.

“We’re a middle-class family and, financially, it was getting too difficult to play in international tournaments,” said Chang, who at 15 is ranked 163rd in the world. “Turning pro will make it a lot easier.

“I can also make my own schedule as a pro, according to education needs and other things. I have so much school work to make up.”

Chang defeated Paul McNamee of Australia, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, in September in the first round of the U.S. Open. At the age of 15 years and 5 months, he was the youngest male to win a main-draw match.

After the tournament, he and his parents began discussing the possibility of turning pro.

In October, he became the youngest player to win a U.S. Tennis Assn. match when he won the USTA Challenger in Las Vegas.

“I’m always looking for new challenges, and the pro tour offers the greatest challenge,” Chang said.

Joe Chang, who coaches his son, is also arranging his tournament schedule for the upcoming year. He said it will include the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

“This year, we are going to concentrate on different surfaces and international experience,” Joe Chang said.

“It (turning pro) came down to realities. There are not too many families that can afford financially to develop a champion in today’s system.”

Chang has been signed with Advantage International, a marketing organization that also represents John McEnroe, Steffi Graf and Stefan Edberg.

Chang reached an agreement to endorse shoes and clothing for Reebok.