MEMPHIS (February 17) - As part of his announced "Farewell Tour 03," Kroger St. Jude champion and Memphis mainstay Michael Chang was honored on Stadium Court on Monday night at the Kroger St. Jude.

Chang, who won the title in 1997 and has not missed the tournament since making his professional debut here in 1988, was presented with a number of gifts from tournament director Tommy Buford, including the Key to the City of Memphis from the Convention and Visitors Bureau. An avid fisherman in his spare time, Chang was also given a fishing rod and reel, an orange and white UT hat - the trademark of local angler and national celebrity Bill Dance - and a plaque with a picture of Chang when he won the title, which will hang in the Champions Hall at The Racquet Club of Memphis.

"Each year after the U.S. Open, when October comes round and I'm making the schedule, the first tournament I always marked down in the calendar was Memphis," said Chang, who came back to the microphone and said: "Whoever owns a red Kia Spectrum, you're in my parking spot. It took me nine years to earn that (reserved parking place at the front door for current and former champions) - you've got to win yourself a championship!"

After 16 consecutive appearances in Memphis, Chang bid an official farewell to the city on Tuesday night when he lost 6-4, 6-2 to second seed Paradorn Srichaphan in the first round at the Kroger St. Jude. Chang had no answer to Srichaphan's power and all-round game, going down in 56 minutes.

"Obviously it's been a great run over the years," said Chang. "I've got a lot of fond memories here and definitely a lot of great things to take away from playing here. I've enjoyed it immensely and have had a lot of success here along the way."