Arthur Ashe was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and was the first African American to win the men's singles title at the US Open and Wimbledon. He was also an author, having written several books about his life and career. His most famous book, 'Off the Court', was published in 1979 and detailed his experiences as a professional athlete.