Sports Spotlights

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was an American professional golfer and tennis player, however, she is best remembered for her accomplishments in tennis. She dominated women's competition in the late 1950s. She was born on August 25, 1927. She began playing tennis at the early age. She won her first competition in 1942. Gibson became the first African American player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon(1957-58), and US Open (1957) singles championships. She also became the first African American player to compete on the women's professional golf tour in the early 1960s. Gibson died on September 28, 2003, at the age of 72.