Arthur Ashe is all smiles as he holds the Wimbledon trophy aloft after his upset win over hot favorite Jimmy Connors in the 1975 final. But Ashe's tennis achievements are just part of his remarkable legacy.
Just champion —
Arthur Ashe is all smiles as he holds the Wimbledon trophy aloft after his upset win over hot favorite Jimmy Connors in the 1975 final. But Ashe's tennis achievements are just part of his remarkable legacy.
Ashe excelled on faster courts due to his serve and volley style -- as seen here at Wimbledon in 1968.
Youthful talent —
Ashe excelled on faster courts due to his serve and volley style -- as seen here at Wimbledon in 1968.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Five years before his win at Wimbledon, Ashe won the U.S. Open title at Forest Hills in New York. Here he receives the congratulations of his father Arthur Ashe Senior after winning the U.S. grand slam.
Proud father —
Five years before his win at Wimbledon, Ashe won the U.S. Open title at Forest Hills in New York. Here he receives the congratulations of his father Arthur Ashe Senior after winning the U.S. grand slam.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Ashe won three grand slams during his career. As well as the U.S. Open, he won the Australian Open in 1970, before his stunning victory over Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final -- regarded as his greatest triumph.
History maker —
Ashe won three grand slams during his career. As well as the U.S. Open, he won the Australian Open in 1970, before his stunning victory over Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final -- regarded as his greatest triumph.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Only two black men -- Ashe and Frenchman Yannick Noah -- have ever won a grand slam. To mark Ashe's legacy a statue of him is on show at the United States National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Immortality guaranteed —
Only two black men -- Ashe and Frenchman Yannick Noah -- have ever won a grand slam. To mark Ashe's legacy a statue of him is on show at the United States National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Ashe was politically active and in 1992 protested outside the White House against the treatment of Haitian refugees. It led to his arrest.
Political activist —
Ashe was politically active and in 1992 protested outside the White House against the treatment of Haitian refugees. It led to his arrest.
Robert Giroux/AFP/Getty
Ashe retired from tennis in 1980, a year after undergoing heart surgery. In 1983 he underwent more heart surgery, before five years later he was diagnosed as being HIV positive. Here a gaunt Ashe is pictured addressing the World Health Organization on World Aids Day in December 1992, three months before his death.
AIDS campaigner —
Ashe retired from tennis in 1980, a year after undergoing heart surgery. In 1983 he underwent more heart surgery, before five years later he was diagnosed as being HIV positive. Here a gaunt Ashe is pictured addressing the World Health Organization on World Aids Day in December 1992, three months before his death.
Hai Po/AFP/Getty
A mourner looks on as Ashe lies in state at the Governor's Mansion in Virginia before his burial on February 10, 1993.
State honor —
A mourner looks on as Ashe lies in state at the Governor's Mansion in Virginia before his burial on February 10, 1993.
Tim Clary/AFP/Getty
Ashe's widow Jeanne receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton on behalf of her late husband in June 1993.
Top award —
Ashe's widow Jeanne receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton on behalf of her late husband in June 1993.
Robert Giroux/AFP/Getty
Fellow tennis great Pat Cash examines exhibits in the Arthur Ashe Learning Center in New York which highlight the life and works of the grand slam champion.
Legend's view —
Fellow tennis great Pat Cash examines exhibits in the Arthur Ashe Learning Center in New York which highlight the life and works of the grand slam champion.
CNN
U.S. tennis star James Blake drew his inspiration from Ashe and met his widow Jeanne at the 2013 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
Blake inspired —
U.S. tennis star James Blake drew his inspiration from Ashe and met his widow Jeanne at the 2013 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
U.S.Open.org
Jeanne Ashe talks with Michelle Obama as the president's wife attended Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at Flushing Meadows earlier this year.
Presidential endorsement —
Jeanne Ashe talks with Michelle Obama as the president's wife attended Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at Flushing Meadows earlier this year.
Robert Marchant/Getty Images
Michelle Obama addresses the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at Flushing Meadows on Saturday August 24.
Michelle magic —
Michelle Obama addresses the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at Flushing Meadows on Saturday August 24.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
A night view of the main stadium court at Flushing Meadows which is named in honor of Arthur Ashe.
Forever remembered —
A night view of the main stadium court at Flushing Meadows which is named in honor of Arthur Ashe.
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty
James Blake gets ready to interview Jeanne Ashe for CNN at the 2013 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
Memories recalled —
James Blake gets ready to interview Jeanne Ashe for CNN at the 2013 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
U.S. Open.org