#19: Althea Gibson: Changed the Face of Tennis
Althea Gibson paved the way for many of the famous tennis players we see today like Serena and Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff. Gibson was the first African American tennis player to win the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open. Gibson’s tenacity and talent for the sport opened up this traditionally white world to other, more diverse players.
Katrina Adams, the first Black president of the U.S. Tennis Association, has credited Althea’s career as the main reason she became involved with the sport and was able to get as far as she has. Althea was honored with another first when she was named Female Athlete of the Year in 1957 and 1958. This honor made her the first African American athlete to ever be awarded that distinction.