Arthur Ashe (July 10th, 1943 - February 6th, 1993) was an American professional tennis player. A three-time Grand Slam title winner, Ashe was the first African-American man to be ranked number one in the world. Ashe was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia and learned tennis at the age of seven. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), studying Business Administration, and was the first African-American man to win the NCAA Singles Championship in 1965. His professional tennis career brought him both fame and success, as he won 33 singles tournament titles, including the Grand Slam titles at the 1968 United States Open, 1975 Wimbledon Championships, and the Australian Open in 1970. He also served as president of the Association of Tennis Professionals and as founder and executive director of the National Junior Tennis League. After retiring from tennis in 1980, he dedicated himself to activism and was an advocate for charitable causes. Ashe was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 1993. Ashe passed away at the age of 49 in New York City due to complications from AIDS. His legacy in tennis and activism will remain an inspiration for future generations.