Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was a professional tennis player from the United States of America. She is a former World Number 1 in women’s tennis and she is one the first African-American athletes to cross the color line. She was also the first African-American to win a Grand Slam, the 1956 French Open.

She is considered one of the best tennis players ever.

Player Profile

Althea Neale Gibson was born on August 25, 1927, in Clarendon County, South Carolina in the United States of America. She died on September 28, 2003 (aged 76) in East Orange, New Jersey.

Gibson stood 180 cm tall and she is right-handed. She was coached by Sydney Llewellyn at the peak of her professional career.

Career

She started playing paddle tennis as a young girl and at the age of 12, she was the New York City women's paddle tennis champion. In 1941, she played in the New York State Championship, her first tournament.

In total, she has 56 Career titles. Her first Grand Slam title was the 1956 French Open and in 1957, she won the Wimbledon singles and the US Open singles titles. She also went on to win the 1958 titles for both.

Gibson also won 5 women’s doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.

Legacy

She is considered one of the greatest tennis players ever and one of the best women of color tennis players. After her last Grand Slam win, it would be 15 years before another woman of color – Evonne Goolagong would win a grand slam.

Career Record

Singles

• Career Titles: 56
• Highest Ranking: No. 1 (1957)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open - F (1957)
• French Open - W (1956)
• Wimbledon - W (1957, 1958)
• US Open - W (1957, 1958)

Doubles

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open - W (1957)
• French Open - W (1956)
• Wimbledon - W (1956, 1957, 1958)
• US Open - F (1957, 1958)

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• Australian Open - SF (1957)
• French Open - QF (1956)
• Wimbledon - F (1956, 1957, 1958)
• US Open - W (1957)

People Ask

When was Althea Gibson first ranked Number 1?

>She became Number 1 in women's tennis in 1957.

When was Althea Gibson inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame?

>She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

Did Althea Gibson also play golf?

>Yes. In addition to tennis, Althea Gibson was also a golfer.