New Delhi, May 19 -- Few athletes have left behind a public legacy as influential and morally grounded as Arthur Ashe, whose reflections on service and responsibility continue to resonate decades after his death.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943, Ashe rose to become one of the defining sporting figures of the 20th century. Over the course of his tennis career, he won three Grand Slam singles titles and became the first Black player selected for the United States Davis Cup team. He also remains the only Black man to win the singles championships at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

Yet Ashe's significance extended far beyond sport. After retiring from professional tennis, he became a writer, broadcaster, Davis Cup captai...