Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

38 Top Quotes By Arthur Ashe On Life, Sports & More

Famous As: The Only Black Man to Win the Singles Title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open
Born On: July 10, 1943
Died On: February 6, 1993
Born In: Richmond, Virginia, United States
Died At Age: 49

Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was a former no. 1 American professional tennis player who went on to win three Grand Slams during the course of his career. He is the only black man to win every Grand Slam Title except the French Open. Furthermore, he was the first black player to be selected in the United States Davis Cup squad. Besides his tennis career, Arthur Ashe also went on to publish a three volume book titled A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African-American Athlete. Ashe was also an active civil rights activist in the Anti-Apartheid movement for which he was arrested on multiple occasions. In 1985, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. During the twilight of his life, he was plagued with several heath issues which eventually led to his untimely death due to HIV transfusion. Before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the cure and fight against AIDS for the welfare of people suffering from this horrific infection. His thoughts and sayings focused on equality, perseverance, hard work, bravery, valor and motivation. Browse through these quotes from this legendary tennis player in the history of American sports.

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From what we get, we can make a living. What we give; however, makes a life.

From what we get, we can make a living. What we give; however, makes a life.

Arthur Ashe
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

Arthur Ashe
Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.

Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.

Arthur Ashe
Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.

Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.

Arthur Ashe
I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.

I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.

Arthur Ashe
My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.

My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.

Arthur Ashe
Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.

Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.

Arthur Ashe
We must believe in the power of education. We must respect just laws. We must love ourselves, our old and or young, our women as well as our men.

We must believe in the power of education. We must respect just laws. We must love ourselves, our old and or young, our women as well as our men.

Arthur Ashe
We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.

We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.

Arthur Ashe
You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

Arthur Ashe
When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.

When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.

Arthur Ashe
You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

Arthur Ashe
I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.

I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.

Arthur Ashe
If I were to say,

If I were to say, "God, why me?" about the bad things, then I should have said, "God, why me?" about the good things that happened in my life.

Arthur Ashe
I don't care who you are, you're going to choke in certain matches. You get to a point where your legs don't move and you can't take a deep breath. You start to hit the ball about a yard wide, instead of inches.

I don't care who you are, you're going to choke in certain matches. You get to a point where your legs don't move and you can't take a deep breath. You start to hit the ball about a yard wide, instead of inches.

Arthur Ashe
I accepted the face that as much as I want to lead others, and love to be around other people, in some essential way, I am something of a loner.

I accepted the face that as much as I want to lead others, and love to be around other people, in some essential way, I am something of a loner.

Arthur Ashe
When bright young minds can't afford college, America pays the price.

When bright young minds can't afford college, America pays the price.

Arthur Ashe
There is a syndrome in sports called 'paralysis by analysis.'

There is a syndrome in sports called 'paralysis by analysis.'

Arthur Ashe
Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.

Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.

Arthur Ashe
I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments.

I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments.

Arthur Ashe
A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.

A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.

Arthur Ashe
I guess I started too early because I just thought it was something fun to do.

I guess I started too early because I just thought it was something fun to do.

Arthur Ashe
Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you’re behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you’re behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.

Arthur Ashe
Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1.

Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1.

Arthur Ashe
If you're paid before you walk on the court, what's the point in playing as if your life depended on it?

If you're paid before you walk on the court, what's the point in playing as if your life depended on it?

Arthur Ashe
The best way to judge a life is to ask yourself,

The best way to judge a life is to ask yourself, "Did I make the best use of the time I had?

Arthur Ashe
I have always drawn strength from being close to home.

I have always drawn strength from being close to home.

Arthur Ashe
Let me put it this way: I think Republicans tend to keep the ball in play, Democrats go for broke.

Let me put it this way: I think Republicans tend to keep the ball in play, Democrats go for broke.

Arthur Ashe
One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

Arthur Ashe
Later, I discovered there was a lot of work to being good in tennis.

Later, I discovered there was a lot of work to being good in tennis.

Arthur Ashe