August 25, 1968 – It was a pinnacle moment in sports history. Arthur Ashe became the first African American to win the US singles championship. Ashe went on to break barriers in other areas of tennis too: He won three Grand Slam singles titles.
Arthur was also the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team, and the only African American man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. Ashe opened the door of opportunity for so many talented athletes and took the sport of tennis into homes that were unfamiliar with it.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
From Elegant Ancient Chinese Footballers to the United Kingdom’s Crude Rabble
Over the last two millennia, humans have dotted the world with football. Connect these
The Best NFL Division in 1975 (AFC Central)
The American Football Conference’s Central Division was unquestionably the best division in pro football
Chuck Noll’s 1972 Steelers: How a Rookie and a Defense Built a Legacy
From 1933 (their first season in the NFL) through 1971, the Pittsburgh Steelers had
Unknown Facts From the History of Sports That Will Surprise You
The history of sports is vast and fascinating. This should come as no surprise,
The Best Wins at Cheltenham Ever
The famous Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner and excitement has been building
Legends, Lines, and Luck: How Gambling Wove Into the Fabric of Aussie Sport
Australians don’t just love sport — they live it. From backyard cricket games to
Fast Bets and Faster Payments: The Evolution of Sports Gambling and PayID Pokies
There’s no denying that sports and betting have been intertwined for decades. Whether it’s
Ray Guy and the Pro Bowl Gondola
To complete the 1975 NFL season, the annual Pro Bowl game pitted the best