ARTHUR ASHE

   Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was an American professional tennis player, born in Richmond Virginia to the families of Authur Ayse Sr. and Cordell Cunningham Ashe and won three Grand Slam titles during a long and celebrated career. 

   Ashe was the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He retired in 1980. He was ranked World No. 1 by Harry Hopman in 1968 and by Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph and World Tennis Magazine in 1975. In the ATP computer rankings, he peaked at No. 2 on May 1976.

   In the early 1980s, Ashe is believed to have contracted HIV from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery. Ashe publicly announced his illness in April 1992 and began working to educate others about HIV and AIDS. He founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health before his death from AIDS-related pneumonia on February 6, 1993. On June 20, 1993, Ashe was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the United States President Bill Clinton.

   During his fight against this deadly disease, he received letters from his fans with one conveying:

"Why did God have to select you for such a bad disease?"

To this Arthur Ashe replied:

"50 Million children started playing Tennis,

 5 Million learned to play Tennis,

 500,000 learned Professional Tennis,

 50,000 came to Circuit,

 5,000 reached Grandslam,

 50 reached Wimbledon,

 4 reached the Semi-finals,

 2 reached the Finals,

 Ans when I was holding the Cup in my hands, I never asked God *WHY ME?*"

Happiness keeps you Sweet!!,

Trials keep you Strong!!,

Sorrows keep you Human!!,

Failure keeps you Humble!!,

Success keeps you Glowing!!,

But only Faith keeps you Going.

Many times you find yourself unsatisfied with your life, just remember that many people still dream of it.

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