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“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve all others whatever the cost”
- Arthur Ashe.
Arthur Robert Ashe is one of those heroes that we don’t hear much about these days, but he was truly someone to be remembered for many reasons. Tennis legend to some, freedom fighter to others and further still an educator and a philanthropist.
He is known to many as a tennis player with an impressive record even by today’s standards. Three Grand Slam titles, including the inaugural U.S Open in 1968 and reaching number one in the world became a backdrop for a life filled with achievement and battles both on and off the court. He is still to this one of only two male black players to have won a Grand Slam, the other being Yannick Noah at the French Open in 1983.
After success as a junior and at college, going to UCLA and receiving a Bachelor of Science, he became the first black player to be selected for the U.S Davis Cup Team. He was involved in the formation of the ATP Men’s Profession Tennis Circuit (becoming President in 1974) and won many tournaments, 34 singles titles including the US and Australian Opens and Wimbledon. He went on to be captain the US Davis Cup team and was included in the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Freedom Fighter
Arthur Ashe was not just a tennis player. He was a man that made things happen, to better not only himself but quite literally, the world. As a civil rights supporter he joined in on protests to highlight problems with apartheid and also to stand up for Haitian refugees after the US started a crackdown in 1992 going as far as being arrested for what he believed in.
During the professional tour he was due to play a tournament in South Africa. The South African government denied his visa which put an end to the tournament for him before it had started. He used this incident to highlight the South African Apartheid policies, calling for their expulsion from the International Tennis Circuit.
In 1973 he became the first black tennis player to win a tournament in South Africa in a doubles event with Tom Okker. Later became a member of a 31 strong group that went to South Africa to observe political change as it started to reach racial integration.
A giant off the court – Philanthropist and Educator
In the late 1970’s, Arthur Ashe encountered some health problems. He had a heart attack leading to two major operations to try and put things right. During one of these operations Arthur contracted AIDS from a contaminated blood transfusion. Now he had a different type of battle on his hands. Showing that the condition would not get him down he stepped up his off court activities being involved with or founding many charitable causes. The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS being one, he also helped children with the Safe Passage Foundation and promising young black athletes with the formation of the African American Athletic Association to name just a few. He had raised millions of dollars to help a vast amount of people. Despite hardship he has blazed a positive trail with belief, dignity and determination.
He has received countless accolades and honours and was a champion far beyond the game of tennis; a true Aspecks Hero!
Arthur Ashe Charities
Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. www.arthurasheinstitute.org
Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Tennis Program (now LA Safe Passage Tennis Program) www.safepassagefoundation.org
ABC Program (Ashe Bolletieri Cities) – created with the most famous tennis coach in the world, Nick Bollettieri. Has provided tennis lessons, academic tutoring and health care helping 15,000 inner-city youths until Ashe’s death.
Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS
Arthur Ashe Youth & Tennis Education – www.ashetennis.org
Arthur Ashe Athletic Association
African American Athletic Association
15-Love Substance Abuse Programme.
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