Arthur Ashe: More than a champion
Marking the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe lifting the Wimbledon men's singles title
The Documentary Podcast · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
An inspiration, a politician, a pioneer on and off court - these just some of the words used to describe Arthur Ashe, who became the first African-American to win the men's Wimbledon singles title against Jimmy Connors in 1975.
It was one of the most iconic sporting moments of the 20th Century at a time of huge political and racial unrest.
Ashe’s life spans America’s Civil Rights struggle, the ending of South Africa’s system of apartheid and his creation of an awareness of the disease that would eventually kill him - Aids.
BBC Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller tells his story, hearing from amongst others, former players John McEnroe, Serena Williams, Stan Smith, his agent Donald Dell and his brother Johnnie Ashe.