Althea Gibson Honored at USTA

adminSeptember 09,2004

The USTA honored the legacy of Althea Gibson, the "African-American Mother of Tennis," with a special tribute at the US Open on Tuesday night, September 7 - the 46th anniversary of Gibson's second U.S. Championship.

The first African-American to enter the U.S. Championships, Gibson's social impact extended well beyond her significant accomplishments on the tennis court. Over an exquisite three-year period, she won 11 Grand Slams, including five singles titles-two at the U.S. Championships in 1957 and 1958. A pioneer, Gibson blazed a trail for tennis players-Arthur Ashe, Leslie Allen, Zina Garrison, Venus and Serena Williams-and inspired countless others in all walks of life. Gibson died September 28, 2003 at the age of 76 in East Orange General Hospital.

Pictured here left to right are: Bud Collins, Boston Globe writer, Zina Garrison, Fed Cup and Olympic team coach (1st African American in history to coach either team), tennis legend John McEnroe, Fran Gray, Althea Gibson Foundation spokesperson, Alan Schwartz, President of the United States Tennis Association, David Dinkins, USTA Board member and former New York City Mayor, Lee Hamilton, Executive Director, USTA, Arlen Kantarian, the US Tennis Association's chief executive for pro
tennis.