SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
Search:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Latest News
Featured News
Book Reviews
Videos
ATP Singles
ATP Doubles
WTA Singles
WTA Doubles
News
Scores
Rankings
Lucky Letcord Podcast
Shop
Pro Gear
Pickleball
Gear Sale
Popular This Week
Tickets for Hall of Fame Open Newport on Sale Now
Swiatek Shares Schedule Shift
Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams Lig...
WTA Rankings, May 6 2024: Swiatek Stretches No.1 Gap...
ATP Rankings, May 6, 2024: Auger-Aliassime Back in T...
Rublev on Overcoming "Worst" Illness for B...
Rome Women's Draw: Swiatek and Rybakina in Opposite ...
Net Posts
Industry Insider
Second Serve
Add to Flipboard Magazine.
Ashe’s Triumph over Connors at Wimbledon in ’75 Was Larger than Tennis
This year tennis celebrates the 40th anniversary of
Arthur Ashe
’s shocking upset of
Jimmy Connors
in the 1975 Wimbledon final. One of the more talked about in tennis history because it marked the first title by a black man at Wimbledon and, because of the complete strategical 180 that Ashe executed to take down the vaunted Connors, this final is also known as one of the most compelling tactical title matches in tennis history.
More:
Haas Becomes Oldest Man to Win Wimbledon Match in 24 Years
Speaking in a conference call last week, three-time Wimbledon champion
John McEnroe
talked of its significance, saying that Ashe's triumph, particularly the manner in which he achieved it, helped break down a lingering, pervasive and baseless stereotype about the black athlete. “Obviously in sports, at least on our side, this was a huge moment because there was talk, in some ways there still is--though it’s not nearly what it was--that black men or women were great athletes, but they weren’t the thinkers of whites,” said McEnroe. “The mere fact that he out-strategized and out-thought Jimmy was significant, that a black player in a white man’s game, still to a large degree that’s the case, was able to out-maneuver him and fool him and surprise him.”
Legend has it that Ashe went out to dinner the night before the final with confidants (
Donald Dell
and
Charlie Pasarell
) and cooked up a plan to initiate what he would later call a “radical change of strategy” to flummox Connors in the final.
Ashe also made it a point to wear his U.S.A. jacket, symbolizing that he was part of the Davis Cup team that the lone wolf Connors had eschewed. There was tension between the two players due to lingering financial and legal issues, and Ashe wisely aimed to use the tension to his advantage.
“Jimmy had problems over the years with representing his country,” said McEnroe. “I remember Arthur wearing the U.S.A on his back, how important that was. He later was my captain for four years with the Davis Cup. The meaning behind that was more subtle. Maybe people in other countries it didn’t mean so much. For me watching it, it meant something. Jimmy was the best player in the world. For [Arthur] to be able to do what he did, dominate him the first couple sets, it was extremely surprising, because it almost seemed like Jimmy was unbeatable, yet he made you think that’s what is great about sports, anything can happen. That was a pretty big moment for our sport.”
Ashe went on to defeat Connors for the first time in four career matches, in a four-set final. The Wimbledon title was his third and final at a major. He passed away in 1993 due to complications from a blood transfusion, but Ashe’s legacy continues to live and breathe.
Serena on meeting Ashe - ESPN Video
To this day, Ashe’s influence knows no bounds. He was more than a tennis player. He was a philosopher, an intellectual, a spirit--a leader. His victory over Connors was so well-received because Ashe as a person and as a leader was so well-received.
“Success is a journey not a destination,” he said in his book, Days of Grace. "The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1."
These were words that the American legend embraced throughout his life, as he lead by example, altering generational racial relations and making a lasting, heartfelt impression on athletes and people of all backgrounds.
Posted:
Latest News
8 Things to Watch in Rome: Rafa and Nole Reunion, Ig...
Gauff Reloading in Preparation for Rome and Roland G...
Madrid Master: Rublev Rallies to Maiden Madrid Crown
Sinner: Will Only Play Roland Garros If 100% Fit
5 Reasons the Swiatek v Sabalenka Madrid Final Felt ...
Clay Classic: Swiatek Saves 3 MP, Dethrones Sabalenk...
TENNISNOW.COM
News
Blogs
Vlogs
Forums
Arcade
Members
TENNIS NOW TV
Daily News Vlog
Gear Guide
Catching Up With...
Feeds
News Feed
Blog Feed
TV Feed
ON TOUR
Scores
Player Profiles
ATP Calendar
WTA Calendar
TV Listings
PARTNERS
Instructional
Find Tennis Lessons Near You
Tennis Lessons Online with Tom Avery
Fuzzy Yellow Balls - Video Tennis Lessons
Tennis Gear
Tennis Express - Racquets, Shoes, and Apparel
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
Links Directory
|
Privacy Policy