American · Silver, USA · Born 25 August 1927Pioneer who broke the colour barrier in tennis and won two Wimbledon and two US Championship titles.
Althea Gibson was born on 25 August 1927 in Silver, South Carolina. She grew up in Harlem, New York, and became the first Black player — male or female — to compete at the US Open Championships (1950) and Wimbledon (1951). She broke the racial barriers of tennis and went on to win 5 Grand Slam singles titles, including Wimbledon 1957 and 1958. After retiring, she became a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour — the first Black woman to play professionally in golf. She died in 2003 and is honoured with a statue at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
She became the first African American to win a Grand Slam singles title when she captured the French Championships in 1956.
She was the first Black person to compete at Wimbledon and the US Open, breaking tennis's racial barrier in the early 1950s.
Did You Know?How They Played
Gibson possessed exceptional athleticism with a powerful serve and aggressive baseline game that was ahead of her time. She combined natural speed and agility with strong groundstrokes from both sides, allowing her to dictate play from the back of the court.
Lasting Impact
Gibson paved the way for future generations of African American tennis players and helped desegregate professional tennis. Her courage and success opened doors that had been closed due to racial barriers in the sport.
Career Honours
- Wimbledon 1957
- Wimbledon 1958
- US Championships 1957
- US Championships 1958
- French Championships 1956
American Athletes