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Legendary Tennis Player Arthur Ashe: A Visual Tribute

Bobby Spencer05 mins

Arthur Ashe: A Legacy Beyond Tennis

Arthur Ashe was one of the greatest American tennis players of all time, and he remains the only Black man to win singles titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

However, he was much more than just an athlete. Ashe was a dedicated social activist, serving as an inspiring role model for African Americans while also advocating for the HIV and AIDS communities.

A new film, “Citizen Ashe,” explores Ashe’s enduring legacy. It provides a poignant look at his impact both on and off the tennis court.

Early Life and Career

Arthur Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943. He began playing tennis at an early age, honing his skills on a Blacks-only playground in the city. His passion for the sport led him to significant achievements throughout his career, including winning the NCAA title at UCLA in 1963. Consequently, he became the first African American to represent the United States in the Davis Cup.

Ashe, far right, shakes hands with opponents at the Eastern Junior Tennis Championships in 1959.
Ashe, far right, shakes hands with opponents at the Eastern Junior Tennis Championships in 1959. Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943 and began playing tennis at an early age. He first tested his skills on a Blacks-only playground in the city. Harry Harris/AP

Achievements in Tennis

Ashe’s notable achievements in tennis include winning the US Open in 1968, making him the first Black man to win a grand slam singles title. He further solidified his legacy by winning the Australian Open in 1970 and the US Open again in 1975. Moreover, his unexpected victory over Jimmy Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final crowned him the world’s top-ranked tennis player that year.

Ashe plays at Wimbledon in 1964.
Ashe plays at Wimbledon in 1964. A year earlier, he won the NCAA title at UCLA and became the first African American to represent the United States in the Davis Cup.

Advocacy and Activism

After his tennis career, Ashe became a prominent activist. He campaigned vigorously against apartheid, advocating for South Africa’s exclusion from the International Tennis Federation. Furthermore, Ashe founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS after announcing to the public that he had contracted the virus following a heart operation.

Ashe attends a hearing at the United Nations in New York in 1970.
Ashe attends a hearing at the United Nations in New York in 1970. He was campaigning for South Africa to be excluded from the International Tennis Federation. He had earlier been denied a visa by the country’s apartheid government. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Legacy and Memorial

Arthur Ashe passed away in 1993 due to AIDS-related pneumonia, leaving behind a tremendous legacy that transcends sports. He is remembered not only for his achievements on the tennis court but also for the profound societal impact he made through his advocacy work.

Fireworks are set off during the dedication ceremony for the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York in 1997.
Fireworks are set off during the dedication ceremony for the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York in 1997. It’s the main stadium at Flushing Meadows, which hosts the US Open, and it’s the largest tennis stadium in the world. A statue of Ashe is outside. Al Bello/Getty Images


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