Despite not being able to play tennis in Richmond because of racism this human and civil rights pioneer was the first, and so far only, Black man to win the singles titles at Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian Open. On July 5, 1975 Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon and retired in 1980. Now you know.
One of the classiest gentlemen in tennis.He rose above the hate around him. The world needs more people as great as Arthur Ashe.
A good man taken from us too soon.
I met him in the 70's. He was a soft-spoken, but friendly young man. So happy he won at Wimbledon.
Beat Jimmy Connors
I loved watching him play.
Lo
I knew already but thanks
Many people also don't know that Mr. Ashe was at the forefront of creating the modern day ATP tour. However, Connors actively worked against him and the concept. So the Wimbledon victory(brains over brawn) by Ashe was especially sweet. I would have loved to see it live. Great post!
My Dad was s big fan of Ashe.
Winning a delicious victory over the guy who everyone loved to hate (but his mother): Jimmy Connors.
Find a way to dominate when they try to keep you out of things! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Which Richmond - I assume US ?
Yes.
Big statue of Ashe on the main thoroughfare there now. (Richmond was the seat of the Confederacy.)
I lived there when they put that statue on Monument Ave. The vitriol from the usual crowd was unbelievable. Some years later they put a statue of Lincoln at Tredegar Iron Works and it was the same thing all over again.
Old times there are not forgotten.
Arthur Ashe was a study in greatness. A truly magnificent man and an inspiration.
He beat Jimmy Connors in a brilliant match.
A giant among men outside the courts as well. Vaya con Dios
Gave Jimmy Connors a rare mauling that day. Arthur Ashe was one of the few, perhaps only, player that made Connors give up hope way before the end.
I remember Arthur Ashe...he was a gracious gentleman and a wonderful representative of the game and the US. Racism is a sickness!
'Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.' Arthur Ashe
I haven't paused to reflect on Arthur Ashe in far too long. What an extraordinary human being. Thank you for posting this. 🫡💙🎾
great player