CINCINNATI, Ohio (Reuters) - After 15 years at the top of tennis, Michael Chang is glimpsing at life after the sport and plans to take up missionary work.
At this week's Cincinnati Masters the former French Open champion acknowledged his tennis-playing days were numbered.
"I'm in the twilight of my career," the 30-year-old said. "When you're young, it's easy to take things for granted.
"After another year and a half or so, then it'll be time to move on to other things."
The devout Christian is already making plans for the future. "Definitely some missionary work is on the agenda," he said. "Tennis will be mixed in there as well.
"I have a passion for young people, I feel like I am in a position to impact them and touch their lives, maybe particularly the Asia-Pacific Rim.
"Let's see how it unfolds. I will be much more involved with our family foundation, with our kids and different programs."
The American is not ready to call it a day just yet, however, and hopes there will be a golden end to a glittering career which has seen him win 34 singles titles.
"God has blessed me with a lot much more than I could ever imagine in my career," he said.
"I never even dreamed of playing professional tennis at this caliber for so many years, so everything from here on out is really icing on the cake.
"And to be honest with you, I think that there's something inside me that hopes that something great will happen from this time 'til the time that I call it a day.
"But I think with anything, hopes and dreams and stuff are all part of what makes life exciting. I want to be able to go out and give my best and when the day comes I will be able to look back at my career and say being a part of the ATP Tour and for so many years, really was a blessing.
"Not only on the court but off the court as well. To be able to look back and have no regrets and hopefully finish on a high note. See what the Lord has planned."