By Joseph Green-Bishop
Arise Rejoice News Service
When Althea Gibson became the first Black American to win a championship at the U.S Open Tennis Tournament in 1957 she did not receive a single penny for her historical athletic achievement.
She left the court as financially impaired as she entered it as the system did not allow prize money and as a racial minority her endorsement opportunities were non-existent.
This year the first place finisher on the men’s and women’s sides will receive $5 million.
“Althea Gibson paved the way for me and for other women of color in professional tennis,” said tennis great Serena Williams. The personal and financial sacrifices that she made have led to the success of so many others,.”
Born on August 25,1937, Gibson was raised in Harlem where she excelled in sports, particularly tennis. She crafted her game under the tutelage of coaches in New York and in Virginia. She went on to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where she also joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. through the Beta Alpha Chapter in 1949.
Her first appearance at the U.S Open was in 1950 when she was 23-years-old. Her accomplishments on the court are legendary. She won titles at both the British Open and the French Open championships.
“Althea Gibson is the reason that I became a tennis player in high school,” said Dallas business owner, Yolanda Frazier-Gills who grew up in Orlando, Florida.
“She was a tremendous player and tole model for young woman like myself who aspired to be just like her,” said Ms. Frazier-Gills, the owner of Frazier-Gills Accounting in Dallas. “When I see the extraordinary tennis played by Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys; I think of Althea Gibson and her invaluable pioneering example.”
A statute of Ms. Gibson is on the site of the U.S Open in New York City. “I am hopeful that she will continue to be remembered,” said Mr. Frazier-Gills.
