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New Arthur Ashe biopic in the works

By Jordaan Sanford

Arthur Ashe has left his mark in history, not just for winning titles but also for battling for equal rights. A biopic is currently in the works and will cover the civil rights activist’s achievements on and off the court.

Ashe first picked up a tennis racquet when he was seven years old in Richmond, Virginia at a blacks-only public park. His natural talent and hard work would take him to places no other man of color had been before.

L'américain Arthur Ashe et le français Georges Goven posent le 31 mai 1971, avant leur match de huitième de finale des Internationaux de France de tennis au stade Roland Garros à Paris. Ashe (1943-1993) a remporté le tournoi de Wimbledon en 1975, l'US Open en 1968, l'Open d'Australie en 1970, ainsi que 6 victoires en Coupe Davis. Arthur Ashe of the US and French Georges Goven pose on May 31, 1971, before their match during the men's singles competition in the French tennis Open at the Roland Garros stadium. Ashe (1943-1993) won Wimbledon in 1975, the US Open in 1968, the Australian Open in 1970 and is six-time winner of the Davis Cup. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
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But it was not easy. Ashe had to adapt in order to break racial barriers. As a teenager, he was taught racial socialization, which included being taught to return every ball that landed within two inches of a line and to never question an umpire’s decision.

Although the odds were against Ashe, he became the first African American to win the National Junior Indoor title and was awarded a scholarship to UCLA. He didn’t stop there; he would go on to win Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open, amidst the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., anti-Vietnam protests and the civil rights movement. Ashe is the first and only black man to win at the three majors.

Arthur Ashe runs for the ball during a match at Wimbledon in England.
© Getty Images

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Ashe would use his voice in the black revolution in America as well as to fight against apartheid in South Africa.

His story will come to life with the help of Academy Award winner Kevin Willmott as the screenplay writer. Producer Ashok Amritraj, who has made over 100 films, will produce Ashe’s film. Amritraj is the brother of Davis Cup legend Vijay Amritraj and uncle to Tennis Channel's Prakash Amritraj.

The biopic will be infiltrated with tunes from the era, including songs from Aretha Franklin, Prince and Curtis Mayfield. Warner Music Group is aiding the process of securing the music and will provide creative guidance.

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 1: Unlocated picture taken in the 1968s of American famous tennis player Arthur Ashe who return the ball to his opponent as he was the first African-American on the U.S. Davis Cup. Ashe (1943-1993) won 27 of 32-Cup single matches in fifteen years, winning the Davis Cup six times. Ashe's greatest triumph was in 1975 when he defeated the game's most dominant player; Jimmy Connors, in the Wimbledon finals. (Photo credit should read STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

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“Arthur’s legacy reaches far beyond his greatness as a tennis player,” Ashok Amritraj said. “Always a gentleman; bold, graceful, and intellectual; while at the same time passionate in his fight against racial inequality and injustice, I am honored to bring Arthur’s story to the screen.”

The film currently does not have a release date.