"Studying the Bible, learning about the Lord has calmed Andre Agassi down" - When Michael Chang shed light on compatriot's 'bad attitude' in juniors

American tennis icon Michael Chang once spoke about how Andre Agassi's attitude had evolved since their junior days. Chang credited his compatriot's embrace of Christianity for the positive change in his personality.

At just 18 years old, Agassi entered the 1988 US Open as the fourth seed, beating Philip Johnson, Rick Leach, and Johann Kriek to set up a blockbuster fourth-round clash with Michael Chang. The fourth seed dominated the encounter, claiming a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 win over Chang to advance to the quarterfinals in New York.

Beyond their rivalry on the court, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang forged a unique connection by attending Bible classes together in the Vermont woods, which Agassi's coach Nick Bollettieri described as "wonderful."

Speaking to the press after his loss, Chang disclosed that Agassi had shed the "bad attitude" of his junior days, attributing the change to the American's study of the Bible and growing Christian faith.

"In the juniors Andre had a bad attitude. This is a whole new guy. Studying the Bible, learning about the Lord, stuff like that, has really calmed him down," Chang said.

Chang also expressed his appreciation for Andre Agassi's unique personality in the tennis world and emphasized that, despite earning approximately $2 million annually, the then-18-year-old wasn't overly fixated on money.

"Sometimes, you just have to laugh with him. It's nice to have different personalities in the tennis world. You would think that an 18-year-old making about $2 million a year this year would have his mind filled with money. But he's not like that," he added.

"Feels ludicrous and insulting" - Andre Agassi 'offended' by Michael Chang thanking God for every win

Andre Agassi - Source: Getty

Despite attending Bible study with Michael Chang, Andre Agassi candidly admitted that he was "offended" by his compatriot's "bad habit" of thanking God after every victory.

In his autobiography 'Open,' Agassi emphasized that he found the idea of God siding against him to be "ludicrous and insulting" and revealed that he relished every "blasphemous" stroke while beating Chang.

"Once more I square off against Chang, who’s developed a bad habit since we last met. Every time he beats someone, he points to the sky," Agassi wrote.

"He thanks God, credits God for the win, which offends me. That God should take sides in a tennis match, that God should side against me, that God should be in Chang’s box, feels ludicrous and insulting. I beat Chang and savor every blasphemous stroke," he added.

Michael Chang was perplexed by Andre Agassi being "harsh" on him for his Christian faith. The American clarified that his tendency to thank God after every match "had nothing to do with saying, 'I’m better than you.'"