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Chang: Losses Were 'Wakeup Call'

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Michael Chang has a way of looking on the bright side, even when things look darkest.

Losing seven out of his final eight matches last year wasn't a sign of declining talent, but more ``a wakeup call,'' says Chang, who came into the Australian Open somewhat hobbled by a stomach muscle strain.

The 1989 French Open champion, who has not won a Grand Slam title since, starts this tournament ranked third in the world after losing the No. 2 spot to Australia's Pat Rafter at the end of last season.

Chang's on-court problems came as Rafter soared to victory in the U.S. Open.

``In some respects there was really no other way to look at it but try to look at it in a positive way,'' Chang said Tuesday. ``It turned out to be a good wakeup call for me. I learned quite a bit from it.

``I start this year on a very fresh note, and in some respects I'd have preferred it to have happened in the late stages of the year rather than the middle stages.''

Chang compared last season to his situation before the 1990 French Open when he lost five straight matches heading into the Grand Slam event he was defending.

``There were certain expectations of knowing that you have an opportunity to become No. 1 and you not only fall short, you not even come close,'' Chang said.

``You get all prepared for tournaments, you feel prepared, and you come out and lose the first round. That's not a place I feel comfortable being, and it's a place that I am not used to being at.''

Chang, 25, admitted his end of season slump was ``pretty hard to deal with.'' But he looked for the positives, found them and brought them to Melbourne.

``I wasn't really concerned because it's a new year,'' Chang said. ``I feel very good and I'm excited about this year.

``It does me no good for my tennis career or my life if I continue looking at things in a negative perspective.''

Chang said he has no thoughts of taking an extended break from the game.

``Throughout my whole career I always told people there was one word to describe my career -- perseverance,'' Chang said.

``It has been perseverance and I would feel very, very shameful if after those few weeks of last year I would not give my full effort coming into this year.''