Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson was an American tennis champion and the first Black player to compete in the U.S. National Championships and win singles titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals.
Career
Gibson broke racial barriers in international tennis while becoming one of the leading players of the 1950s. She won 11 major titles across singles and doubles, including Wimbledon and U.S. singles titles in 1957 and 1958. Her 1950 entry at the U.S. National Championships marked a major step toward integration.
Record and legacy
After a short, exceptional tennis career, Gibson turned to professional golf and became the first Black woman to join the LPGA Tour. Her athletic achievements and barrier-breaking place in tennis history remain closely connected. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971 and died in 2003.
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