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An American Dream Arthur Ashe rose from a segregated Virginia neighborhood to become not only one of the best professional tennis players in history, but also a trailblazer for African-American athlete’s everywhere. Ashe was faced with adversity throughout all years of his life because of his race, which made his moment of greatness that much sweeter. This moment came in 1980 when Ashe was named as the first African-American Davis Cup captain. An honor, and responsibility, that many dream of but few ever achieve. While growing up in Virginia Ashe was not allowed to play tennis on pubic courts or in junior tournaments because of his race. He was looked down upon throughout his career for being the only black in a predominately white sport. Ashe once said, “discrimination…and ultimate despair have dogged the steps of the mightiest of [African-American] heroes” (P. ix). It is this kind of determination to overcome this discrimination that allowed for Ashe to earn a tennis scholarship to UCLA and work his way into the USTA (United States Tennis Association) hall of fame. It is this kind of heart that lead to him being not only the first African-American Davis Cup captain, but the first African-American to play Davis Cup