NEW YORK -- More than anything, Michael Chang wanted to have fun during his farewell tour, regardless of results.
In his final match before retirement, he had a blast. And he lost.
Chang played in 17 straight U.S. Opens, so it was fitting the former French Open champion said goodbye here, on center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium before several thousand fans.
The 31-year-old Chang, energetic as ever, was overpowered by 15th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 in an exciting first-round match that saw Chang rally to win the third set.
He pumped both fists, he hollered "Yes!" when Gonzalez double-faulted to end the second set, he smiled even when things didn't go his way.
And after the match, Chang walked back onto the court and waved goodbye to a standing ovation, clapping his hands in the air as he looked in every direction.
"It's a little bit difficult to describe," Chang said. "I don't know if it's going to quite hit me 'til maybe a few hours later. Tennis has been such a big part of my life."
Chang, still speedy covering the court, used behind-the-back trickery, booming first serves and the emotion from an adoring crowd to keep the match interesting.
Chang's top showing at Flushing Meadows was making the 1996 final, which he lost to Pete Sampras. Had Chang won that match, he would have reached No. 1 in the rankings.
"Today's match was the happiest I've seen him in a couple years," brother and coach Carl Chang said. "I'm glad he went out that way."
Gonzalez beat Chang with 15 aces and 62 winners, including back-to-back aces to start the match. Chang, who received a wild-card entry into the tournament, burst into the tennis spotlight when he won at Roland Garros in 1989 at age 17. He had a top ranking of No. 2.
The French is his only Grand Slam title.
"I think the French Open in many ways brought out a certain characteristic in me and in my game that was already there," Chang said. "The circumstances allowed for it to be able to show. ... I came awfully close (to winning more). Three Grand Slam finals after that. All I can say is I went out and I tried. I think that's all you can really ask of yourself."
In January, Chang announced the Open would be his final stop. He said his inability to maintain a high level on the court led to the decision, along with the toll all these years on tour has taken on him.
"He's one of the gutsiest players who's ever played," John McEnroe said, adding that playing hard is "what he's going to be known for."
Chang was realistic with his chances late in his career, saying earlier this year that to win another major "it's going to be something miraculous."
In less than 24 hours, the U.S. Open bid farewell to two players. Sampras formally announced his retirement Monday night and was honored in a lengthy on-court ceremony.
Yet 33-year-old Andre Agassi is still going strong -- he's ranked No. 1 in the world and is the tournament's top seed. He won easily Tuesday against Alex Corretja.
"It's a weird feeling," Agassi said of seeing Sampras and Chang retire. "You expect to leave the dance with the ones you came with. When they decide it's time for them, it's a sad feeling. ... Sometimes you wish things would never change."
Chang left with little fanfare, though the U.S. Tennis Association talked to him about doing something next week as a tribute.
He won only two of his 12 matches this year, but that mattered little to those who were there to root for him at the end.
"Come on, Michael!" they hollered over and over again.
Chang was loose as he warmed up his serve in Arthur Ashe Stadium for the last time, nodding as he was introduced. And he was calm as he faced elimination.
Gonzalez had to wait to serve out the match for a couple minutes because the crowd was so loud for Chang.
"This whole year has been bittersweet," Chang said. "It's nice to be able to know that through tennis or through your person, you're able to touch a life. It's nice to know that a lot of lives have touched mine."
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