On July 5, 1975, Arthur Ashe defeated defending champion Jimmy Connors to become the first Black man to win the Wimbledon singles title. At 31 years old, Ashe entered the final as a heavy underdog against the 22-year-old Connors, who had won their three previous meetings. Utilizing a tactical, finesse-driven game plan, Ashe secured the victory with a 6–1, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4 scoreline, marking his third and final Grand Slam title.

Ashe, a native of Richmond, Va., began his tennis journey as a young boy before earning a scholarship to UCLA. His professional career was already marked by historic milestones, including becoming the first Black man to win the U.S. Open in 1968 and the Australian Open in 1970. Despite these successes, the Wimbledon title  remained elusive, with his previous best finishes being semifinal appearances in 1968 and 1969.

The matchup against Connors presented a significant challenge, as the younger player was coming off a dominant semifinal victory against Roscoe Tanner. To counter the power of Connors, Ashe implemented a specific strategy: hit nothing hard. Instead, he employed finesse, using  soft lobs, varied spins, and slower shots to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

The strategy proved effective immediately. Ashe won the first set in 20 minutes and followed with another victory in the second set. Although Connors regained momentum to take the third set,  Ashe maintained his focus, often closing his eyes during changeovers to concentrate. He eventually secured the fourth set, ending the match and claiming the championship.

Ashe retired from competitive tennis in 1980 following a heart attack, finishing his career with 51 tournament wins. Following a 1983 heart surgery, Ashe contracted HIV through a blood transfusion and spent his later years educating the public about the disease before passing away on February 6, 1993. His contributions to the sport were formally recognized in 1997 when the U.S. Open’s primary stadium was named in his honor.