Arthur was born in Richmond, Virginia. His mother died when he was only six years old. He hardly remembered his mother, but he always felt her presence watching and loving him.

Ashe started playing tennis at an early age. During his rise, he found himself the only Black player in a sport dominated by Whites. By 1963, Ashe was the first African American on the Davis Cup Team. Between 1968 and 1975, he became the first African American man to win a US men's national singles championship, the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

On and off the tennis court, Ashe always displayed good sportsmanship. Ashe took his game to inner city kids, by starting the National Junior Tennis League.