Michael Chang surprised at his depiction in Andre Agassi's book

Former French Open champion Michael Chang has voiced his surprise at how he was depicted by Andre Agassi in his autobiography titled Open.

In the book, Agassi made some comments about Chang’s devotion to Christianity which sort of made Chang scratch his head a little bit. Chang was also flustered at the fact that Agassi let another tennis legend, Jim Courier know about the contents of the book before its release but never spoke to him about it at an exhibition with only a week left for publication of the book.

“I read the excerpts, and it’s hard for me not to shake my head a little bit,” Chang said. “I wonder if, to some degree, whether some of the stuff he wrote was more or less to sell the book… It was kind of odd. Andre was very harsh on me for my Christian faith, but at the same time, I believe he understands where I am as far as my faith. We actually used to have Bible studies together early on in our careers. He was upset that I would go and thank the Lord for my matches, which, back then, was probably not as commonplace as you see today. I would have thought that he would know me better than that; that me going out and expressing that has nothing to do with saying, ‘I’m better than you, or ‘God loves me more than he loves you.’ That’s not the case.”

Chang did say that Andre was pretty harsh on everyone, and it’s just the way he is; but he has had a pretty good relationship with him for the most part.

Andre Agassi inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame

On July 9, tennis legend Andre Agassi has formally accepted his invitation to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

The 8-time Grand Slam champion has achieved so much throughout his career and went through some tough times as well as some great moments. He was joined at the induction ceremony by long-time tennis supporter and WTA pioneer Fern Lee “Peachy” Kellmeyer. The ceremony was one of the largest ever get-togethers at the event, with 200 people in Agassi’s support group who attended the Class of 2011 ceremony. Agassi’s wife, Steffi Graf and their two children were part of the crowd as well.

“I’m thrilled and humbled and quite honestly a bit terrified to be here standing in front of you today,” said Agassi. “At age five, my father told me to win Wimbledon. At age seven, he told me to win all of the Grand Slams. And more times than I can remember, he told me to get into the Hall of Fame,” Agassi humorously explained. “Later, at age 29, he told me to marry Stefanie Graf. Dad, don’t every stop telling what to do.”

This is a great day in tennis history and I want to thank Andre personally for giving us all that he has given, from the wacky outfits to the great championship memories. You are now a legend for all time and I’m glad that the Tennis Hall of Fame has recognized all that you have done for the sport and everything you are still doing for the sport, because it is people like you who strive for tennis to be the sport that it is today. Thank you so much for everything, Andre.