Customer Reviews

Holding Serve Persevering On And Off The Court

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In "Holding Serve", you feel what he says, more than you read what he wrote, especially if you have seen Michael played on the court. Such valour and determination, from the very first game I saw him played in our home town to the very last ATP doubles game he played in our city on 26 September 2002. Michael carried a very clear message on the court and he just confirmed it in writing in this book. I would recommend it to people of all ages and I wish to emphasize that this book is not focused on Christianity. It's a book about attitude and the way of life of THE MICHAEL CHANG.

Michael Chang is a remarkable individual! I still remember watching Michael play that incredible match against Ivan Lendl in the 89 French Open and then defeating Stefan Edberg in the final after going down two sets after winning the first! Talk about steely determination! And to win a grand slam event at age 17! Amazing! The book is a fascinating read and contary to "a readers" rather inane opinions on this review site, I felt that Michael was truly honest and forthright about his beliefs and I never felt that he was "cramming" his beliefs on anyone..I just have high respect for the fact that he stood his ground and never compromised his values..We need more role models like Michael Chang..especially in the world of sports!

Michael talks about his relationships with Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras and how they all came up in the junior ranks..Pete and Andre used to stay overnight with Michael's family on occasion when they crossed paths and Michael seemed very secure in his relationship with the two tennis greats! (I'm sure there is mutual respect among these tennis greats!!) His anecdotes about John McEnroe and many other players are quite interesting and humorous so I did not understand "a readers" previous comments about "not mentioning other players" at all..

Michael is deferential and respectful about his career in tennis and never bad mouths any of his opponents or fellow players..instead he gives a lot of them credit for his development as a professional..especially John McEnroe's demolishment of him in the French Open in '88..he learned from the experience..and even went on to state that he earned McEnroe's respect later on when he took him out for the first time at the 1992 US Open..

Michael's description of his matches and how he developed as a young tennis professional gives you a great deal of insight into all the hard work that goes into attaining the level of tennis he produced..especially in the year 1996 when he was ranked as high as No 2..I remember clearly the semi-final match he played against Andre Agassi in the '96 US Open where he took him apart in 3 straight sets..only to lose the next day to his rival..Pete Sampras..if he had won that match he would have been No 1 in the world! Although that would have been nice, Michael did not dwell on it and what makes the book an interesting read is that Michael gives you a quite a bit of insight into his world and his influences..which is what most autobiographies are designed to do...he states what he felt were the most important things in his life..his family..and that he felt truly "blessed" to have had all the opportunities he had and to be on the "world stage"..he stresses the fact that he lives by "the golden rule" and never succumbed to the temptations that being a world class tennis star can bring!

I have been a fan of Michael's since the beginning of his career and throughly enjoyed his insightful book..I highly recommend this book for tennis fans and all sports fans for that matter!

I finished this book within a day. This is by far one of my favorite book. Michael was very humble and personable throughout the book. I felt like I know him so much after finish reading Holding Serve. Not knowing how much hard work it takes to become No.2 tennis player, this book brings inspiration and true understanding of the tennis world. Young tennis player will be inspired and touched by his stories.

I am also impressed by Michael's faith and his close relationship with his family. You will appreciate the role of his parents and what a sacrifice they made in order to fulfil his tennis dream.

I found "Holding Serve" an easy-to-read intimate account of communicating with the supernatural with good advice for readers like me. Michael shares personal details of victories and defeats from boyhood to manhood lived on the world stage of professional tennis. After six years of following Michael Chang's career I had many questions which were answered in this inspirational book. Thanks Michael.

I've missed Michael Chang since he retired from pro tennis. I always enjoyed watching him, not just because I like pro tennis, but because he was always so unabashed about his devout Christian faith.
In "Holding Serve," he talks about his childhood when money was often tight, how he and his brother Carl discovered tennis, and everything their parents did to develop Michael and Carl's talents. Michael remembers his junior tennis days when he first met Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and Jim Courier.
In 1998, after years of being one of the world's top players, Michael Chang suddenly fell into a big downhill slide. He dealt with some injuries, and even when he was able-bodied, he started losing in the early rounds of several tournaments. His ranking dropped way down, and never got back up to what it was. Michael is very frank about was a frustrating time that was. It's obvious he wishes he could have won more than one grand slam title.
Michael Chang talks about his Christian beliefs and his moral values without sounding preachy.
Since retirement, I understand Michael has been busy with the Chang Family Foundation.

It's such a great book that I cannot wait to finish the book over the weekend, eventhough I have an exam on Monday night. I really learn a lot about Michael Chang from this autobiography -- as a person and the kind of challenges he endured and conquered in his pro years. I also learned something about the other tennis greats from his friendship with them. I am especailly touched and inspired by the Love in the Chang Team. Great job! Michael.

I thought this was a great book about perseverance and believing in yourself. I read this book a pretty long time ago, around the time I was getting serious about tennis and was able to relate to many things Michael talks about in the book. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

If you love Michael Chang and/or Christianity, you may find this book satisfying. Otherwise, you will likely find "Holding Serve--Persevering On and Off the Court" rather boring and incomplete.
There is considerable focus on Michael's religiosity throughout the book, and he seems to feel everyone should feel exactly as he does on this topic. He seems almost stunned by critics who dislike his cramming religion down others' throats. For example, he credits the Lord for his victories, as if the Lord is against his opponents. And he signs autographs to everyone "Jesus Loves You", as if that is not offensive to many.
The book also focuses intensely on his family, and we learn a lot particularly about his devoted mother and loyal and perceptive brother Carl. In fact, it seems like he spent his first four or five years on the pro tour either hitting balls or being with his mother and the next ten years the same with his brother. There is virtually no mention of any other player on the tour, except for in his key matches. Michael was on the tour, but apparently not part of the tour in that he had no relationships with any players. So, amazingly, he has virtually nothing to say about any of them.
Michael loves his Chinese heritage, but what about the U.S. He never tries to justify why he rarely played Davis Cup for his country. He rarely talks about any of the issues or controversies that make tennis headlines.
Not much seems to interest his intelligent mind aside from his religion and family and tennis and fishing and collecting rare fish. As for reading books, only those about Christianity appeal to him.
He does have a foundation to help others, and he deserves credit for that.
This is a narrow book and one not especially deep either. But diehard Chang fans will like it. It's basically about his very insular life. So general tennis fans will likely find it uninteresting and unsatisfying.

I've read quite a few books in my day and this was by far the worst.
I felt like he was writing to 8 year olds.