Arthur Ashe wasn’t just a tennis player—he was an unforgettable chapter in the history of the game. Born in 1943 in Richmond, Virginia, he broke barriers, smashed records, and opened doors for generations of players to come. He wasn’t just the first Black man to win a Grand Slam title—he was also one of the first athletes to shape the future of tennis technology.

Let’s start with the trophies. Ashe made history in 1968 by winning the US Open—just as the Open Era began. He followed that with a victory at the Australian Open in 1970, and later seized the big prize, Wimbledon in 1975, defeating the heavily favoured Jimmy Connors in a legendary match. Ashe’s game wasn’t all power—it was smart, precise, and calm under pressure. He didn’t just beat his opponents, he outthought them.