Object Details
user
Ashe, Arthur
maker
Head
Description
This racquet was used by American tennis player Arthur Ashe (1943-1993.) Ashe, a native of Richmond, Virginia, was the first African American to win the Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship (1975) as well as the first to be named to the U.S. Davis Cup Team (1963) and to win singles titles at the U.S. and Australian Opens (1968 and 1970).
Ashe was a vocal advocate for civil rights, both in the United States and abroad, and was involved in many humanitarian efforts, including the opening of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. He has been recognized with honors such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and has had a statue erected on Richmond's Monument Avenue.
In 1997, the U.S. Tennis Association opened the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadow, New York. The court serves as the principal stadium for the U.S. Open.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.
Date made
1975
ID Number
1991.0178.01
catalog number
1991.0178.01
accession number
1991.0178
Object Name
racquet, tennis
Physical Description
aluminum (skin material)
fiberglass (core material)
intestines, lamb (strings material)
black (overall color)
silver (overall color)
graphite (core material)
resin, epoxy (overall material)
leather (handle cover material)
Measurements
overall: 27 in x 9 in x 1/2 in; 68.58 cm x 22.86 cm x 1.27 cm
overall: 27 in x 9 in x 1 5/8 in; 68.58 cm x 22.86 cm x 4.1275 cm
Place Made
United States: Colorado, Boulder
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Data Source
National Museum of American History
web subject
Sports
name of sport
Tennis
level of sport
Professional
web subject
African American
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1078223