Arthur Ashe

Written by: Lovey on 17th February 2011

Arthur Ashe |

Black history month! ARTHUR ASHE! … As in Ashe Kids Day at the US Open or the Arthur Ashe stadium, or at UCLA in Los Angeles the Ashe building. Arthur was an All-American there. Arthur was a scholar and a gentleman. A West Point graduate… a true sportsman … uber-talented, he was amazing, gracious, handsome, articulate, witty, charming, intelligent…

He could have been the first African American president. No offense president Obama. He would be proud of you… except he’d prefer you were hitting more tennis balls… Arthur loved his country and played Davis cup whenever asked… He won 33 career titles…. He was also a runner-up in 32 finals (ouch that’s a lot of heartbreakers).

Arthur won the US Open in 1968. The Australian Open in 1970. Wimbledon in 1975. Arthur had smooth beautiful strokes. He was like watching a surgeon. He could slice a high backhand like Federer. Except Arthurs worked all the time. He played with glasses and the head pancake flipper racket. He was slim and elegant. I can still remember the day I was in NYC playing tennis at Central Park when the word spread that AA had contracted AIDS. He had heart surgery and his blood transfusion was tainted with aids… It was before they tested people, or blood, anyone could sell a pint back then… It was a sad day…..

Arthurs highest world ranking was number 2 on May 10, 1976. But to anyone who ever knew Arthur. He was always number one! The story goes that AA could complete the New York Times crossword in less than thirty minutes easy…. I’m lucky if I get a word… but that comes as no surprise to our readers…..

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