Welcome to The Documentary from the BBC World Service. I'm Russell Fuller, and in a special episode from Sports World, we're celebrating the life of Arthur Ash, 50 years on from becoming the first African American to win the men's Wimbledon singles title against Jimmy Connors in 1975.

It was one of the most iconic sporting moments of the 20th century at a time of huge political and racial unrest.

An inspiration, a politician, a pioneer on and off court, those are just some of the words used to describe Arthur Ash, was more than a champion.

Arthur was a speed reader, had a photographic memory, had an IQ off the charts.

Ash at batch point from the right-hand court, a backhand return from colors is in, but it's a

need to be able to him.

The Australians used to say he played Sydney or the Bush.

He'd go for broke and if it went in, it went in if he didn't it.

You know, I think he's the kind of person who would want to do whatever he can, besides play tennis.

What else can I do to help make a difference?

He just made, you know, everyone feel comfortable.

He made me feel happy. He took his time and those moments that can just make someone go left or right.

A marvelous performance by Arthur Ash in my book.

They wanted him to win because he had a cool, super cool look.

The big fro, and I mean, I thought it was amazing.

If anybody is still having a fictionado of the game,

you could tell that the way I was playing is not the way I usually play,

but I thought that was the way to play Jimmy Conner's on grass.

I get a phone call at 4 a.m. in the morning, and Arthur is screaming on the phone.

Mandela is walking out of Robbins Island.

People listen to champions. They want to hear your voice.

He's an iconic figure in this world. His name is on the greatest stadium in the United States, and that's where it deserves to be.

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