Autograph Corner: Althea Gibson

The 2025 U.S. Open is dedicated to trailblazer and pioneer Althea Gibson in celebration of her breaking the tennis color barrier 75 years ago in 1950 at the U.S. Nationals, which became the U.S. Open in 1968. Gibson is the first person of color to win a Major title with her 1956 Roland Garros singles victory. She won the doubles title that year as well with Angela Buxton. Buxton, a Jewish player, also experienced discrimination in the form of anti-semitism. They became lifelong friends and Buxton assisted Gibson in her later years when she experienced health and financial difficulties.

Althea Gibson won an astounding 11 Major titles from 1956 to 1958 with 5 in singles, 5 in doubles, and 1 in mixed doubles. She achieved the number one ranking in 1957 and was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1957 and 1958. She graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Time magazines in 1957. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

Courtesy of the Adam Ross collection.

Gibson was raised in Harlem, New York and exhibited great athletic skills at an early age. She achieved her first significant tennis success playing in ATA (American Tennis Association) tournaments and at the HBCU (Historically Black College and University), Florida A&M University. The ATA is the oldest Black sports organization in the country and has forged a strong relationship with the USTA Florida. The USTA Florida also supports HBCUs.

Gibson was trained and supported by Hall of Famers Dr. Hubert Eaton and Dr. Robert W. “Whirlwind” Johnson. They helped provide the foundation for many Black tennis players, including Arthur Ashe. Hall of Famer Alice Marble was instrumental in assisting Gibson to gain entry into the U.S. Nationals (now the U.S. Open) in 1950. In her second round match against the reigning Wimbledon champion, future Hall of Famer Louise Brough, Gibson took a commanding lead until the match was delayed by rain. Ultimately, she was defeated the next day when the players returned to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills to complete the match.

Courtesy of the Adam Ross collection.

At the height of her tennis powers Gibson retired, as there was no way to earn a living in the sport in the pre-Open era. She pursued a singing career, releasing an album, Althea Gibson Sings, and wrote her autobiography, I Always Wanted To Be Somebody. Hollywood also beckoned and she played a role in the John Wayne movie, The Horse Soldiers. Gibson also shared the bill with the Harlem Globetrotters, playing exhibition matches before their basketball games. In addition, Gibson went on to break the color barrier on the LPGA Tour.

In 2019, through the efforts of many in the USTA including then-USTA President Katrina Adams with the help of the legendary Billie Jean King, a statue of Althea Gibson was unveiled at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The statue contains these words from Althea Gibson: “I hope that I have accomplished just one thing: that I have been a credit to tennis and my country.” Mission accomplished.

Adam Ross is a member of the TCA (Tennis Collectors of America) and a volunteer with the USTA Florida. He is a Florida Tennis contributor and the host of the Florida Tennis Podcast on the Florida Tennis YouTube Channel. Photo credit (top): Nicole Pereira/USTA  via US Open.