Honoring Serena’s Predecessor

In the early days of this year’s US Open, when the world was abuzz with news of Serena Williams’ recently announced retirement at the end of the tournament, New York City paid homage to another Black female tennis champion: Althea Gibson. Had Gibson not paved the way, Serena and her sister Venus might never have taken up the sport.

Sometimes called the Jackie Robinson of tennis, Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in 1950 when she became the first Black player to compete at the U.S. National Championship, the precursor of the US Open. Seven years later, she won the women’s singles at this celebrated match as well as at Wimbeldon. She took both titles again the next year. During her tennis career, Gibson won a total of 11 Grand Slams.

Gibson would have turned 95 this August 25. On that day, New York City honored the tennis great by renaming the intersection of West 143rd Street and Malcolm X Boulevard “Althea Gibson Way.” The ceremony took place in front of 135 W 143rd St, the Harlem building where the star athlete grew up.