Arthur Ashe Wins Wimbledon

In 1975 Arthur Ashe wins Wimbledon and makes tennis history be becoming the first African American player to win the Wimbledon tournament. Ashe defeated the highly favored Jimmy Connors in  a 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victor. From the beginning of the match  Ashe gave Jimmy Connors many problems. Even the great Jimmy Connors himself was quoted as saying "I couldn't find an opening. Whether I served wide balls, or kicks he was there. Everything he did was good: fine returns, short and long, and hard serves and volleys." Ashe, 31-years old out shined the young Jimmy Connors, who at the time was 22. Ashe won the first set in just 19 minutes, and after quickly taking the second set Ashe seemed poised to route Connors at center court. The young Connors fought back however and after falling behind in the set 3-1, the scrappy Conners recovered to win the set 7-5. Ashe's confidence was unwaivered however and he quickly finished Connors in the 4th and final set.

Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was born on July 10, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia. Ashe started playing tennis at the age of six and became a professional tennis player in 1969 at the age of 26. Ashe was given many honors during and after his death, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Till this day Ashe  remains the only African-American tennis player  to win the men’s singles titles at Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.  Ashe was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985.

Source: arthurashe.org