Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe’s Childhood

Arthur Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 10, 1943. When he was just seven years old, he began playing tennis. Ashe, like Althea Gibson, was coached by Walter Johnson. By the time he was eighteen, he had become good enough to receive a tennis scholarship to UCLA.

Ashe Becomes a Tennis Star

While at UCLA, Ashe became a nationally recognized tennis player. In 1963, he was selected for the U.S. Davis Cup team, and he became the first African American team member. In 1965, Ashe won singles and doubles titles in the national collegiate championship. Ashe’s other victories included the U.S. Open (1968), the Australian Open (1970), and Wimbledon (1975).

Ashe was instrumental in the formation of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The ATP changed how tennis players earned money. At the time players received very little in prize money for playing in tournaments. The ATP changed that by providing more substantial prize money to tournament competitors.

Ashe Challenges Discrimination

In addition to his success as a tennis player, Ashe also spoke out against injustice. When South Africa denied his visa for the South African Open, Ashe garnered public support. As a result, on March 23, 1970, South Africa was excluded from the Davis Cup competition.

Arthur Ashe Becomes an Author

In 1980, Ashe retired from tennis. Five years later, he was elected into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Ashe also found success outside of tennis. In 1988, his three-volume book, A Hard Road to Glory was published. Daddy and Me and Days of Grace followed in 1993.

In 1992, Ashe publicly announced that he had contracted the HIV virus from a blood transfusion during heart surgery in 1983. He died on February 6, 1993.