Arthur Ashe: Life Story, Bio and Facts

Who is Arthur Ashe?

Arthur Ashe was an American professional tennis player. He was born on July 10, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia, and began playing tennis at a young age. Ashe became the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team, and in 1968, he became the first black player to win the US Open. He went on to win the Australian Open in 1970 and the Wimbledon championship in 1975. Ashe was also an advocate for social justice and education, and he was appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Jimmy Carter. Ashe passed away on February 6, 1993, due to complications from AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion during heart surgery.

Arthur Ashe Fast Facts

* Arthur Ashe was an American professional tennis player and advocate for social justice, born in 1943 in Richmond, Virginia.
* He was the first African American player to be selected to the United States Davis Cup team and the only Black man to win the singles title at the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open.
* Ashe began his professional career in the 1960s and quickly established himself as one of the top players in the world.
* In 1975, Ashe won the Wimbledon championship, becoming the first African American male player to win a Grand Slam tournament.
* He also won the US Open in 1968 and the Australian Open in 1970.
* Ashe was known for his powerful serve and his consistent play, he was also known for his sportsmanship and his gracious attitude on and off the court.
* He was a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice and used his platform as a successful athlete to speak out against discrimination and inequality.
* Ashe was also an advocate for education and was a founding member of the National Junior Tennis League, which provided tennis instruction to inner-city youth.
* Ashe was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, he had contracted the virus from a blood transfusion during heart surgery. He became an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and education before passing away in 1993.
* He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

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Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.