American · Richmond, Virginia · Born 10 July 1943The first African-American man to win Wimbledon — Arthur Ashe's grace, intelligence and activism made him one of sport's most significant figures.
Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1943 and became the first Black player to win the US Open (1968), the Australian Open (1970) and Wimbledon (1975) — the latter victory, over the heavily favoured Jimmy Connors, ranks among the greatest tactical upsets in Grand Slam history. He won 3 Grand Slam singles titles and spent 12 weeks at world number one. He won 33 career titles. He was the first Black man to be ranked world number one in men's tennis. He contracted HIV from a blood transfusion during heart surgery in 1983 — announcing the fact publicly in April 1992 after it was reported without his permission. He died in February 1993 aged 49. His courage — in breaking racial barriers in tennis, in speaking about HIV at a time of enormous stigma and in his civil rights activism — made him a figure of exceptional moral significance beyond sport. He established the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, contributed to education in South Africa and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993. He wrote A Hard Road to Glory — a comprehensive history of Black athletes in America. The main court at the US Open in Flushing Meadows is named Arthur Ashe Stadium in his honour.
He became the first Black man to win Wimbledon when he defeated Jimmy Connors in the 1975 final.
He defeated the heavily favoured Jimmy Connors at Wimbledon 1975 with a tactical masterclass — changing pace and spin to nullify the world number one.
Did You Know?How They Played
Ashe was known for his intelligent, tactical approach to tennis with exceptional court positioning and strategic shot placement. He possessed a strong serve and volley game that was well-suited to grass courts, combining power with finesse. His calm demeanor and mental toughness allowed him to excel in pressure situations.
Lasting Impact
Ashe broke down racial barriers in professional tennis and paved the way for future generations of Black tennis players. His impact extended far beyond tennis through his civil rights activism and humanitarian work.
Career Honours
- Wimbledon 1975
- US Open 1968
- Australian Open 1970
- Davis Cup 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1978 (USA)
- First Black male player to win US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open
- Presidential Medal of Freedom 1993 (posthumous)
American Athletes