Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe (1943–1993) was an American professional tennis player and civil rights advocate. Raised in Richmond, Virginia, he became the first Black man to win the US Open (1968), the Australian Open (1970), and Wimbledon (1975). Known for his calm style and strategic play, Ashe also worked for racial justice and humanitarian causes, including opposition to apartheid in South Africa. After heart surgery, he publicly disclosed that he had contracted HIV from a blood transfusion and became a prominent AIDS educator. He wrote widely, including the memoir *Days of Grace* and the three-volume history *A Hard Road to Glory*.