Grand Slam a possibility for Kei Nishikori, believes Michael Chang
On-form Japanese has what it takes to become first Asian-born man to win a major, believes former champion now on his coaching staff
Michael Chang has tipped talented Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori to become the first Asian man to win a grand slam, saying it could happen as soon as the French Open next month.
Nishikori, one of the hottest young players on the men's circuit, is the first Japanese to break into the world's top 10. He climbed to number 9 last week after coming close to defeating Rafael Nadal in the Madrid Open final last weekend. Chang became part of Nishikori's coaching team last December after the latter agreed that Chang's young family could accompany him.
"Winning a grand slam is certainly a possibility. Kei is beating guys who have won slams or got to the finals and that will be a confidence booster for him to say, 'Hey, I'm doing well against these players, so why can't I just do as well [as them]'," said Chang, who was in Hong Kong last week to sign up as an ambassador for California Fitness. He was accompanied by his wife Amber - a two-time NCAA singles champion - and their two young daughters.
Kei has had a great clay court season so far, winning in Barcelona and getting to the finals in Madrid. Hopefully he can draw more strength from the way he has been playing
"My family travels with me. I don't want to be away from them, especially when my kids [one and three] are so young. I have travelled around the world so much that it wasn't worth it to be away from them.
"I told Kei this could be a deal breaker, but I needed to have my family travel with me, and he said 'Yup, no problem'. Kei actually has a lot of fun with my girls and he is fine with it," said Chang, who used to be a big favourite with the Hong Kong fans back when the city hosted an ATP tournament.
Nishikori will hope to draw inspiration from Chang, 42, who became the youngest grand slam champion - at the tender age of 17 - when he won the French Open in 1989, defeating Ivan Lendl in an epic five-setter in the last 16 before going on to beat Stefan Edberg in the final.
Chang, whose parents came from Taiwan, was raised in the United States. No Asian-born man has ever won a grand slam. China's Li Na was the first Asian woman to win a slam.
"Kei has had a great clay court season so far, winning in Barcelona and getting to the finals in Madrid. Hopefully he can draw more strength from the way he has been playing," said Chang, who is on his way to Paris to join up with Nishikori before the French Open gets under way this Sunday.