By James Mario Ajero
Arthur Ashe left an indelible mark on the history of tennis as the first-ever black man to hoist a Wimbledon trophy in defiance of the highly polarising politics of the time.
Ashe’s All-American victory against Jimmy Connors on July 5, 1975, was such a monumental achievement that its only non-sport comparison was Barack Obama’s breaking of the “glass ceiling” for African-Americans after winning the US presidential race in 2008.
Apartheid South Africa
Bell-bottoms, disco nights, and Stevie Wonder, the 1970s is often cited as a decade of massive cultural shifts as the era became a hotbed for individualism and self-expression.
But in the arena of international politics, the decade is marked by a conflict in a tale as old as time: racial discrimination.
South Africa, where the extreme system of apartheid (racial segregation) used to reign supreme, was the microcosm of the state-sponsored schism between blacks and whites.
Ashe, who had personal encounters with racial discrimination in his youth in his hometown in Richmond, Virginia, became an outspoken critic of the white-minority government in South Africa.
In fact, the apartheid-era South African government repeatedly denied Ashe a visa to compete in the country.
In 1973, Ashe won the battle of wills with the South African government, who finally relented by granting him a visa.
Ashe did not waste the opportunity in his first visit to the country, winning the 1973 South African Open men’s doubles with erstwhile rival Tom Okker as his partner.
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Defeating the feisty Connors
Though Ashe already had a doubles title from Wimbledon under his belt, no one expected him to defeat a renowned world-beater like Connors, much less to win the singles championship.
In the finals, 31-year-old Ashe employed his steady but powerful approach to the game by utilising low-ball shots and lobs while controlling the pace of the match.
The All-American showdown between Ashe and Connors on Centre Court was already historical in itself as it was the first of its kind since 1947.
As expected, Connors’ explosive style was on full display, designed to outpower Ashe’s flat serve through his two-handed backhand response.
The first two sets went smoothly for Ashe, 6-1 6-1, gearing up to be an easy upset against invincible Connors.
However, Connors’ skill and determination prevailed in the third set, 7-5, with the winds blowing in favour of the 22-year-old.
The fourth set, meanwhile, proved to be as decisive as it was dramatic: Ashe erased Connors’ 3-0 advantage to defeat the latter, 6-4, earning his place among the very best to play on the grassy court of Wimbledon.
To date, Ashe is the only black tennis player to win a Wimbledon, US Open, and Australian Open singles title, retiring with an impeccable record of 818 wins, 260 losses, and 51 titles.
An unshakable legacy
Ashe’s victory was undoubtedly symbolic as it opened the gates for people of color to excel in a sport traditionally dominated by white players.
Tennis, along with basketball, boxing and athletics, became a viable path to success for many black athletes.
This is evident with the successes of Venus and Serena Williams, Zina Garrison, and Sloane Stephens.
In the contemporary era, it is Frances Tiafoe (world No.11) and Coco Gauff (world No.3) who are carrying the torch in men’s and women’s tennis, respectively.
Ashe passed away on February 6, 1993, due to complications after acquiring AIDS from a blood transfusion after a surgery.
He dedicated the remainder of his life to becoming a prominent advocate for HIV and AIDS education.
Ashe’s victory was an empowering message that transcended sports, proof that triumph is possible against seemingly insurmountable odds while carrying the dreams of entire communities.
Newsjustnews writers 
Geoffrey H. Latayan