Who Was Althea Gibson? 1st Black Woman To Break Barriers In Tennis

Althea Gibson's journey in tennis was marked by immense talent, resilience, and a determination to succeed. However, her path was anything but easy. In the 1940s, tennis was an elitist sport that upheld racial discrimination, making it difficult for a Black woman to enter the professional circuit. Despite these obstacles, Gibson persevered and made history as the first Black woman to compete at Wimbledon and win a Grand Slam. With five Grand Slam titles to her name, she remains an iconic figure in the world of sports.

From Harlem Streets to Tennis Courts

Born on August 25, 1927, in Silver, South Carolina, Althea Gibson was the eldest of five children. Her family later moved to Harlem, New York, in search of better opportunities. Gibson’s passion for sports emerged early in her life, though academics did not interest her as much. She frequently skipped school, preferring to spend time playing basketball and paddle tennis in her neighbourhood.

Her exceptional skills in paddle tennis won her the New York City women’s paddle championship at just 12 years old. Recognising her potential, Buddy Walker, a coach with the Police Athletic League, introduced her to traditional tennis. He took her to the Harlem River Tennis Courts, where she quickly adapted to the sport. Her talent led her to the Cosmopolitan Tennis Club in Harlem, where community members chipped in to support her training and membership.

Under the guidance of her first tennis coach, Frederick Johnson, Gibson began competing in the American Tennis Association (ATA), the oldest African American sports organization in the U.S. Her dominance in the ATA circuit was undeniable—she held the top ranking for seven consecutive years and won multiple junior national championships. By the age of 18, she had already won two junior national titles but had also dropped out of high school.

Her growing success caught the attention of influential figures like Dr. Hubert Eaton and Dr. Robert W. Johnson, who became her mentors. Eaton encouraged her to move to Wilmington, North Carolina, where she resumed her education. She later attended Florida A&M University, earning a degree in 1955 at the age of 27.

Breaking Barriers in an Elitist Sport

Despite her talent, Gibson was confined to the segregated world of Black tennis, as mainstream tournaments remained closed to African American players. However, advocates such as white tennis champions Alice Marble and Sarah Palfrey pushed for her inclusion in major competitions. Marble notably wrote an article in American Lawn Tennis in 1950, challenging the sport to accept Gibson as a legitimate competitor.

That same year, Gibson competed in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association Grass Court Championships in Orange, New Jersey, reaching the second round. Soon after, she became the first African American player to compete in the US Nationals (now the US Open). Facing Wimbledon champion Louise Brough, Gibson held her own but ultimately lost after a storm delayed the match.

A year later, she expanded her competitive reach to international tournaments, becoming the first Black woman to play at Wimbledon in 1951. Though she did not win, it was clear that she was made for even greater achievements.

Making History: Grand Slam Victories and International Acclaim

Gibson’s breakthrough came in 1956 when she won the French Championships, becoming the first African American to win a Grand Slam title. This victory marked the beginning of her dominance on the world stage.

In 1957, she made history again by winning both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals in singles and doubles. She was the first African American to achieve this feat. At Wimbledon, she was awarded the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish by Queen Elizabeth II. New York City honored her with a ticker-tape parade, a rare recognition for a Black athlete at the time.

Her momentum continued into 1958, when she successfully defended her Wimbledon and U.S. Nationals titles. These back-to-back wins cemented her status as one of the greatest tennis players of her era. That same year, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press—an honor she won in both 1957 and 1958.

With limited financial opportunities in amateur tennis, Gibson transitioned into professional sports. She toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, played paid exhibition matches, recorded a jazz album, and even appeared in the John Wayne film The Horse Soldiers (1959).

Breaking Barriers in Golf and Facing Criticism

Gibson’s competitive spirit extended beyond tennis. In the early 1960s, she took up professional golf, becoming the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Though she never won a tournament, her presence paved the way for future athletes of colour in the sport.

Despite her groundbreaking achievements, Gibson faced criticism from different sides. Some expected her to conform to traditional expectations of femininity in tennis, while others accused her of not being vocal enough about racial injustices. Though she personally endured discrimination—being denied hotel accommodations even after her victories—she believed that her success alone would open doors for future generations.

Later Years and Lasting Legacy

After retiring from professional sports, Gibson focused on teaching tennis and remained involved in community programs. However, financial struggles plagued her later years. She passed away in 2003 at the age of 76 due to respiratory failure.

Her legacy, however, remains stronger than ever. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971 and honoured by various institutions recognising her contributions to sports. In 2022, Harlem renamed 143rd Street as "Althea Gibson Way," and a life-size statue of her was commissioned to stand there. Additionally, in 2025, the U.S. Mint will release a quarter featuring her image as part of the American Women Quarters Program.

Gibson’s impact on tennis and sports as a whole is immeasurable. As she once said, “I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it’s half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me.”

Her journey serves as an inspiration for athletes of all backgrounds, proving that talent, perseverance, and community support can break even the toughest barriers.