The late Arthur Ashe was the first inductee into the USPTA Hall of Fame. Ashe's tennis accomplishments, including Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles, earned him the world's No. 1 ranking on 2 separate occasions – 1968 and 1975. He was instrumental in the founding of the ATP Tour and the National Junior Tennis League.
Ashe, who died of complications from AIDS in 1993, is also well remembered for his off-court activities, including his outspoken support of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, a writing career that earned him an Emmy award, and his publicized battle with AIDS. He was also active in bringing inner-city children into the sport of tennis through programs such as the USPTA's Tennis Across America.