Tennis Talk
By Mary Ringel
February marks Black History Month, an ideal time to honor African American tennis icon Arthur Ashe. Born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 10, 1943, his journey in life was beyond difficult. At the young age of six, he woefully lost his mother due to complications of surgery. Growing up in America’s turbulent 1960s, an era of segregation, he continually battled against restrictions for black athletes. Yet despite devastating obstacles, Ashe rose above life’s circumstances and achieved extraordinary feats during his 49 years.
During his career, Ashe won 45 singles titles, ranking number two in the world at one point. He made history by becoming the first black man to secure singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He was also the first black player chosen for the United States Davis Cup team.
Unfortunately, in 1980, he suffered a heart attack and soon retired. Tragically, during subsequent heart surgery, he received an HIV-tainted blood transfusion – a fact only uncovered while undergoing brain surgery years later. Despite this devastating setback, Ashe remained undeterred, immersing himself in work, he began crafting his three-volume masterpiece, “A Hard Road to Glory.” Published in 1988, this influential work highlighted the struggles endured by Black athletes in America. While working on this piece and even after its completion, Ashe chose to keep his health condition private. However, true to his humanitarian spirit, he dedicated the remainder of his life to raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately, due to complications related to AIDS, Ashe passed away on February 6th, 1993.
In 1997, the U.S. Open honored him by naming its new court the Arthur Ashe Stadium in recognition of his status as the first African American man to win the U.S. Open Men’s Championship and his exemplary role as a humanitarian that future champions could aspire to.
With too many achievements to detail here, it’s clear that Ashe used his exceptional skills to break down barriers in the world of tennis, setting the stage for future generations of black athletes. His triumphs are irrefutable evidence that talent knows no color or race; it recognizes only dedication and hard work.
