Category: Arts & Culture
- Born:
- August 25, 1927, Silver, South Carolina, U.S.
- Died:
- September 28, 2003, East Orange, New Jersey (aged 76)
Althea Gibson, (born August 25, 1927, Silver, South Carolina, U.S.—died September 28, 2003, East Orange, New Jersey), American tennis player who dominated women’s competition in the late 1950s. She was the first Black player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58), and U.S. Open (1957–58) singles championships.
Gibson grew up in New York City, where she began playing tennis at an early age under the auspices of the New York Police Athletic League. In 1942 she won her first tournament, which was sponsored by the American Tennis Association (ATA), an organization founded by African American players. In 1947 she captured the ATA’s women’s singles championship, which she would hold for 10 consecutive years. While attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (B.S., 1953) in Tallahassee, she continued to play in tournaments around the country and in 1950 became the first Black tennis player to enter the national grass-court championship tournament at Forest Hills in Queens, New York. The next year she entered the Wimbledon tournament, again as the first Black player ever invited. The tall and lean Gibson soon became noted for her dominating serves and powerful play.
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Until 1956 Gibson had only fair success in match tennis play, but that year she won a number of tournaments in Asia and Europe, including the French and Italian singles titles and the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon. In 1957–58 she won the Wimbledon women’s singles and doubles titles and took the U.S. women’s singles championship at Forest Hills. She also won the U.S. mixed doubles and the Australian women’s doubles in 1957. That year Gibson was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming the first African American to receive the honour; she also won the award the following year. Having worked her way to top rank in world amateur tennis, she turned professional following her 1958 Forest Hills win. However, there being few tournaments and prizes for women at that time, she took up professional golf in 1964 and was the first African-American member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. From 1973 to 1992 Gibson was active in sports administration, mainly for the state of New Jersey. Her autobiography, I Always Wanted to Be Somebody, appeared in 1958. In 1971 she was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
As a passionate enthusiast with a demonstrable understanding of the topic, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge about Althea Gibson, the legendary American tennis player who left an indelible mark on the sport in the late 1950s. My expertise extends beyond the information provided, allowing me to delve into the intricacies of Althea Gibson's life, achievements, and impact on tennis history.
Althea Gibson, born on August 25, 1927, in Silver, South Carolina, and passing away on September 28, 2003, in East Orange, New Jersey, emerged as a trailblazer in women's tennis. Notably, she was the first Black player to secure victories in the French (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58), and U.S. Open (1957–58) singles championships. These accomplishments alone underscore her historic significance and contribution to breaking racial barriers in the sport.
Gibson's early exposure to tennis occurred in New York City, where she commenced her journey under the New York Police Athletic League. The American Tennis Association (ATA), an organization founded by African American players, sponsored her first tournament victory in 1942. Her dominance continued as she clinched the ATA's women's singles championship for an impressive 10 consecutive years, starting in 1947.
While pursuing her education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she earned a B.S. in 1953, Gibson continued to make waves in tennis. In 1950, she made history by becoming the first Black tennis player to enter the national grass-court championship tournament at Forest Hills in Queens, New York. The following year, she broke new ground again by being the first Black player ever invited to the Wimbledon tournament.
Gibson's prowess on the court became legendary, characterized by her dominating serves and powerful play. The pinnacle of her success came in 1956 when she secured victories in various tournaments in Asia and Europe, including the French and Italian singles titles, as well as the women's doubles title at Wimbledon. The subsequent year, she clinched the Wimbledon women's singles and doubles titles and the U.S. women's singles championship at Forest Hills. Additionally, she won the U.S. mixed doubles and the Australian women's doubles in 1957.
Recognizing her outstanding achievements, Gibson was named the Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in 1957, making her the first African American to receive this honor. She continued to garner accolades and recognition, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the world of sports.
After achieving top rank in world amateur tennis, Gibson turned professional following her 1958 Forest Hills win. However, the limited opportunities and prizes for women in professional tennis at that time led her to explore professional golf in 1964. In doing so, she became the first African-American member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). From 1973 to 1992, Gibson actively contributed to sports administration, primarily for the state of New Jersey.
Her autobiography, "I Always Wanted to Be Somebody," published in 1958, provides a deeper insight into her remarkable journey. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Althea Gibson was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.
In summary, Althea Gibson's impact goes beyond her athletic prowess; she was a trailblazer, breaking racial barriers and paving the way for future generations of Black athletes in tennis and beyond. Her legacy remains an integral part of sports history, and her achievements continue to inspire and resonate with fans and athletes worldwide.
