The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Remembering Althea Gibson

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Remembering Althea Gibson

NEW YORK: Trailblazer Althea Gibson was the posthumous guest of honour on the opening night of the 2007 U.S. Open on Monday as the 50th anniversary of her U.S. Nationals win was celebrated at the National Tennis Center.

Gibson, who became the first African-American to win the U.S. Nationals, the precursor to the Open, in 1957, was inducted into the U.S. Open Court of Champions with the unveiling of a plaque to be displayed on the grounds.

A 40-minute salute to Gibson included gospel music, a marching band, a film tribute, remarks by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the introduction of more than a dozen African-American female pioneers from various fields.

After the ceremony, two more women embodied the doors Gibson opened. The ensuing matches on the main court featured Venus and Serena Williams. The sisters narrated the video that opened the tribute, describing the glamorous lives they’ve been able to enjoy and contrasting that with Gibson, who “toiled in isolation.”

“I have all the opportunities today because of people like Althea,” Venus Williams, who was “so moved” watching the event before her match, said after beating Kira Nagy in straight sets. Capping off the ceremony was a rousing rendition of “Respect,” sung on centre court by Aretha Franklin. At the end, the crowd gave them a standing ovation.

Gibson, who also became the first African-American to win the French Open and Wimbledon singles championships, died in 2003 aged 76. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. — Agencies

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