75 Years After Breaking Tennis’ Color Barrier, Althea Gibson Is Finally Being Honored At The US Open

By Kimberly Wilson ·Updated May 29, 2025

Seventy-five years ago, a young woman from Harlem stepped onto the courts at the 1950 U.S. National Championships and changed tennis forever. 

Her name? Althea Gibson.

Gibson became the first Black player to compete in what would later become the US Open

Kimberly Wilson
Author: Kimberly Wilson